All games in the first round of groups E and F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played this Sunday (14). Group E: Germany x Curaçao, at 2pm, in Houston (USA). Ivory Coast x Ecuador, at 2am, in Philadelphia (USA). Related news: Climate of fear and high prices keep fans away from the World Cup in the USA. Prevented from entering the World Cup, Somali referee will referee UEFA Super Cup. Government defines opening hours for Brazil's World Cup games. Group F: Netherlands x Japan, at 5pm, in Dallas (USA). Sweden x Tunisia, at 11pm, in Monterrey (MEX). Group E With a resume of four World Cups (1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014) and a technically qualified team, Germany is considered the favorite team in Group E, which also includes Curaçao, Ivory Coast and Ecuador. The favorite team to occupy the second place in the group is Ecuador. With a solid and competitive team, Ecuador had a great campaign during the South American qualifiers, finishing in second place, ahead of Brazil and behind only Argentina. Ivory Coast, a team of physical strength and speed, and Curaçao, a World Cup debutant, run on the outside. If they qualify, they will certainly be big surprises in the tournament. Group F One of the most balanced brackets in this edition of the World Cup is Group F, with the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. There is no absolute favorite, even though, historically, the Netherlands and Sweden have had more successful campaigns than other teams in other cups. Both countries also have a quality squad, organized defensively. Japan, in turn, has one of the best generations in its history. They tend to play a game of quick transitions and a lot of tactical discipline, which could end up surprising their competitors. Tunisia can be seen as the group's underdog, despite their good campaign during the African qualifiers.