World Cup Day 10 What to Watch: Germany aims to clinch a spot in the Round of 32

The 2026 World Cup continues on Saturday as Germany looks to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2014.

Here’s what you need to know for Day 10 of the World Cup.

Saturday, June 20 | 1 p.m. ET | Houston | TV: Fox

Odds: Netherlands (-140), Sweden (+380), Tie (+280)

Sweden is riding high after its blowout win over Tunisia to open group play. The Swedes scored five against Tunisia and currently top the group. Sweden has two great attackers in Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, who scored in that blowout win after a rough season at Liverpool.

The Netherlands tied 2-2 with Japan to open group play. The Dutch failed to hold onto two different leads in the game aas all four goals came in the second half. Was that real defensive frailty on display, or just a testament to how good Japan is?

A win for the Netherlands sets it up famously heading into a final group stage game against Tunisia. Sweden will be looking for at least a point to be in a similar position.

Saturday, June 20 | 4 p.m. ET | Toronto | TV: Fox

Odds: Germany (-195), Ivory Coast (+490), Tie (+360)

The winner could clinch Group E on Saturday based on the result of the Ecuador vs. Curaçao game. Both Germany and Ivory Coast won their first games of the tournament and Germany had the biggest blowout (so far) in its 7-1 win over Curaçao.

Another convincing win over Ivory Coast will go a long way to showing that this Germany squad is a real contender. Remember, Germany is trying to get out of the group stage at the World Cup since it won the whole tournament in 2014.

Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi could start again after he was allowed to enter Canada. Wahi, who was arrested in May on accusations that he potentially manipulated actions in games for bettors, was initially denied entry to the country before he was permitted to be part of the team’s traveling party.

Saturday, June 20 | 8 p.m. ET | Kansas City, Mo. | TV: FS1

Odds: Ecuador (-1000), Curaçao (+2000), Tie (+1000)

Can Curaçao get a second World Cup goal after its fleeting moment of hope against Germany? The one goal Ecuador allowed against Ivory Coast is already 20% of the total number of goals it allowed all through World Cup Qualifying.

Ecuador’s ability to defend is a big reason why it’s such a significant favorite. And you have to think its shooting luck will improve too. Ecuador had just one shot on target among 12 shots against Ivory Coast, but it hit the post three different times throughout the game. A win will be massive for Ecuador’s expectations of making it out of the group stage for the first time since the 2006 World Cup.

Saturday, June 20 | 12 a.m. ET | Guadalupe, Mexico | TV: FS1

Odds: Tunisia (+600), Japan (-195), Tie (+300)

It’s the first game of the tournament for new Tunisia coach Hervé Renard. He was appointed Tuesday after the team fired Sabri Lamouchi the day after the defeat to Sweden. Once the game begins, Renard will become the first manager to coach in three consecutive World Cups for three different countries. In 2018, he was Morocco‘s coach at the World Cup and was in charge of Saudi Arabia in 2022 as the team pulled one of the upsets of the tournament with its win over eventual champion Argentina.

Renard will have to work similar magic to get Tunisia into the knockout rounds with a game against the Netherlands still to come. Japan showed against the Dutch why it’s a real threat to make the quarterfinals even without Wataru Endo, Kauro Mitoma and Takumi Minamino in the squad because of injuries. A win for Japan coupled with a win over the Netherlands eliminates Tunisia from the World Cup.