Group E is where the expanded World Cup tells its best underdog story. Curaçao — an island of fewer than 160,000 people — have qualified for the first time in their history, and they open against four-time world champions Germany.
Under veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat, and with former Manchester United academy winger Tahith Chong and record scorer Rangelo Janga, the islanders have nothing to lose. Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador make this a brutal group on paper — but the Caribbean will be roaring Curaçao on regardless.
It is exactly the kind of moment the 48-team format was built for. Read the full story in Caribbean at the World Cup.