Germany, Ivory Coast not looking too far ahead as Group E results come into focus

By: John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press Posted: 7:37 PM CDT Saturday, Jun. 20, 2026

TORONTO - Julian Nagelsmann doesn't want Germany to get too far ahead of itself at the FIFA men's World Cup.

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TORONTO - Julian Nagelsmann doesn't want Germany to get too far ahead of itself at the FIFA men's World Cup.

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TORONTO – Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t want Germany to get too far ahead of itself at the FIFA men’s World Cup.

Germany advanced to the knockout stage of the FIFA men’s World Cup for the first time since 2014 on Saturday after Deniz Undav’s brace completed their 2-1 rally past Ivory Coast. Nagelsmann was asked after the victory if it was worth celebrating Germany’s first advancement in 12 years.

“I think the most important topic for us is to focus on the next match, to adapt a little bit some details, to try to convince the players more, and to talk about the way we want to play,” said Nagelsmann, who is in his third year of managing the team.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann gestures to his players during the World Cup Group E soccer match between Germany and Ivory Coast in Toronto, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

“We have high ambitions, but I think every team in the World Cup has high ambitions.”

Germany’s win over Ivory Coast and a 7-1 rout over Curaçao easily clinched advancement. The Germans will play their final group match against Ecuador on Thursday in East Rutherford, N.J., with seeding in the Round of 32 at stake.

“When you focus on the next step, you will be ready for Ecuador, and also for the next stages,” said Nagelsmann. “We will not do totally different things against Ecuador, we will try to focus on our way, we will try to adapt some little things.

“If you prepare for the next game in a serious way, you will be prepared for the next stage as well.”

Ivory Coast was still in second after the loss to Germany but advancement to the second round was not assured. The Ivorians will play Curaçao on Thursday in Philadelphia.

The Elephants have never made the knockout stage of a men’s World Cup.

“We have one last game (in group play),” said winger Amad Diallo. “We respect Curaçao but we want to make history for (Ivory Coast).

“We’re going to go there with a good mentality and try to win the game.”

Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae said his team can’t look past Curaçao.

“We know it’s going to be a fight and we’re going to try and do as much as possible,” said Fae. We know that they’re going to be determined and they’re not going to hand it over on a silver platter.

“We’ve got our destiny in our hands, or at our feet, to get to the Round of 32.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2026.