Germany vs Curacao LIVE: Team news as World Cup contenders open campaign against tournament debutants

Manuel Neuer was part of the Germany side that won the World Cup in 2014, but he and others in the squad will have rather more painful memories of the last two editions. Richard Jolly tries to figure out what went wrong – and if this time could be different.

A bit of early team news for you, as it appears Manuel Neuer is set to start on his return from retirement. The goalkeeper had seemingly bowed out of international football after Euro 2024, but has been convinced to feature at one last tournament and squeezed out the unfortunate Oliver Baumann for the No 1 shirt after injury to Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

It’s hot and stormy in Houston today, with Lawrence Ostlere our man in town after a couple of days in Los Angeles. The Independent’s chief sports writer is rather looking forward to watching Group E get going – it’s mighty intriguing.

The World Cup rolls on with a clash of contrasts between tournament powerhouses Germany and debutants Curacao. Can the island nation, an overseas territory of the Netherlands, create a huge upset after an improbable qualification?

Kick off in Houston is at 6pm BST.