Ecuador defeats Germany to reach World Cup knockout stage

Ecuador secured a 2-1 comeback win over Germany in their final Group E match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 25, 2026, earning a place in the round of 32 as one of the best third‑placed teams. The victory marked the first time a South American nation beat Germany in a World Cup group‑stage match and gave Ecuador its second-ever progression beyond the group stage, the first since 2006.

Following the upset, Ecuador’s president declared a national holiday to celebrate the triumph, but the team still awaits its next opponent. The knockout‑round pairings for third‑placed qualifiers are determined by a 495‑row FIFA table, leaving the exact Round of 32 matchup uncertain until all third‑place teams are confirmed.