Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands are in action in Match Day 4 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Sunday.
In Group E, four-time world champions Germany will face World Cup debutants Curaçao in Houston at 10:45 pm. The German squad comprises some of the best footballing talent that stands in stark contrast to Curaçao, a team making their historic first-ever appearance on the world stage. Germany will be looking to exert their dominance in the group with a comfortable victory over the Caribbean island country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Similarly, the Ivory Coast take on Ecuador in Philadelphia at 4:45 am in another Group E fixture. Ranked 23rd in the world, Ecuador face a formidable 33rd-ranked African side that boasts three Africa Cup of Nations titles. The fixture look evenly tied on paper. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations in international football.
Group F action begins with a fixture between the Netherlands and Japan in Dallas at 1:45 am. The Dutch, three-time World Cup runners-up and former European champions, will be looking to control the game through their traditional possession-based system. However, the four-time Asian champions are known for their high-pressure game and lightning-fast transitional passing. History favors the Netherlands, as the Dutch are unbeaten against Japan in their three previous meetings.
Sweden will take on Tunisia in Monterrey at 7:45 am in the final Match Day 4 fixture. Sweden, which is ranked 38th in the world, boasts a rich tournament history that includes a runner-up finish in 1958. They, however, will be tested by 45th-ranked Tunisia, who are renowned for executing a defensive low block and maintaining tactical resilience. Tunisia, which won the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, are the first African side to win a match at the FIFA World Cup. They defeated Mexico 3-1 in Argentina in 1978.
