Germany announced their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in emphatic fashion and, in the process, rewrote history. Julian Nagelsmann’s side thrashed tournament debutants Curaçao 7-1 in Houston on Sunday to surpass Brazil as the highest-scoring nation in FIFA World Cup history.The four-time champions entered the tournament five goals behind the five-time winners on 232 goals and, thanks to their seven-star display at NRG Stadium, moved to 239 goals overall — one clear of Brazil’s 238.
Most goals in FIFA World Cup history
- Germany – 239
- Brazil – 238
- Argentina – 152
- France – 136
- Italy – 128
The achievement adds another chapter to Germany’s remarkable World Cup legacy and sets up an intriguing race with Brazil during the expanded tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Curaçao briefly dream before Germany take complete control
Despite the eventual scoreline, Germany were made to work early on by World Cup newcomers Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to participate in the tournament.Felix Nmecha opened the scoring in the sixth minute after being set up by Florian Wirtz. However, Curaçao stunned the heavily German crowd when Livano Comenencia equalised in the 21st minute, sparking wild celebrations among their supporters.The underdogs held Germany at 1-1 until the 38th minute before Nico Schlotterbeck restored the lead with a header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner.Kai Havertz then converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time to make it 3-1 and effectively break Curaçao’s resistance.
Havertz double headlines seven-goal blitz
Germany ran riot after the break. Jamal Musiala struck in the 47th minute, Brown added a fifth in the 68th, Deniz Undav found the net in the 78th and Havertz completed his brace two minutes from time.The 7-1 scoreline evoked memories of Germany’s famous 7-1 victory over Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semifinals.Nagelsmann, whose team suffered group-stage exits in the last two editions, welcomed the statement victory.“We really needed this convincing win. We needed this self-confidence. It was there but it definitely grew,” he said. “We have to show them that we can perform and we have to have the confidence. I think we’re in a better spot than we were entering this match.”Germany next face Ivory Coast in Toronto on Sunday.
