World Cup Day 10 fixtures: Can Ivory Coast shock Germany as Netherlands, Sweden lock horns?
The second round of group matches are coming in thick and fast at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Turkey suffered a shock exit and Haiti also owed out on Day 9. Daily Trust previews the matches taking place at stipulated Nigerian time. Netherlands vs Sweden (6pm). […]
The second round of group matches are coming in thick and fast at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Turkey suffered a shock exit and Haiti also owed out on Day 9. Daily Trust previews the matches taking place at stipulated Nigerian time.
Netherlands vs Sweden (6pm).
The Netherlands surrendered the lead twice against a determined Japan, and will be weary of a resurgent Sweden that thrashed Tunisia. A victory for either side is significant as Netherlands will position themselves to win the group while Sweden will confirm their round of 32 place.
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Both nations have met twice in the World Cup and both games ended goalless, but Netherlands have won three of their last five meetings, and won their most-recent encounter 2-0.
Nevertheless, the trio of Viktor Gyokores, Alexander Isak, and Yasin Ayari could change hurt an Oranje team without a standout star in attack, and has no clean sheet in five matches.
Germany vs Ivory Coast (8pm)
This is a finely poised Group E encounter where the winner qualifies for the knockout round. Germany are without injuries and will be led by Kai Havertz who netted a brace against minnows Curacao.
There are further threats from Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz plays his best football for Germany. Ivory Coast will call on the electric Yan Diomande to breach Germany’s defence that failed to keep out Curacao, and Amad Diallo has a knack for scoring important goals. The Elephants will be encouraged by their recent win over France, while a ruthless Germany could produce an ugly scoreline if Ivory Coast’s defence caves in.
Ecuador vs Curacao (12am, Sunday June 20)
La Tricolor was unlucky against Ivory Coast where they hit the bar three times, and have an opportunity to pummel the Blue Sharks of Curacao to brighten their qualification chance. Captain Enner Valencia will be raring to add to his World Cup goals and lead Ecuador to another knockout appearance, while Curacao’s attacking outlook can throw a spanner in the works. Both nations will be meeting for the first time ever, and Ecuador are favourites.
Tunisia vs Japan (4am Sunday June 20)
Tunisia were thrashed in their opener and led to coach Sabri Lamouchi’s dismissal, Harve Renard taking ove for the rest of the tournament. Japan posted a credible raw against Netherlands despite losing several key players to injury on the eve of the World Cup.
Victory will almost seal their knockout round qualification, while it is a project remontada for Tunisia. Hannibal Mejbri will hope to win the midfield battle for the Carthage Eagles and create dangerous plays, while the duo of Daichi Kamada and Keito Nakamura will led the Blue Samurai’s methodical approach for another World Cup win over Tunisia to add to the 2-0 victory at Korea/Japan 2002.