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Germany beat World Cup debutants Curacao 7-1 in their Group E opener in Houston, marking their first opening-match win since 2014. Goals from Felix Nmecha, Nico Schlotterbeck, Kai Havertz (2), Jamal Musiala, Nathaniel Brown and Deniz Undav powered the rout after Curacao had briefly equalised.
The 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, with 16 European teams among the 48 qualifiers. Al Jazeera analyzes the chances of each, from heavyweights like France and Spain to returning sides such as Austria and Norway. France is tipped as the most likely European champion, with Spain and Portugal as strong alternatives.
Germany’s effort to win a permanent UN Security Council seat has failed, widely seen as a consequence of its lack of responsibility in international affairs. Critics point to Berlin’s shortfalls in peacekeeping contributions and NATO spending commitments, eroding trust among member states.
Germany lost a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the first time in decades in a June 4 vote, with Austria and Portugal winning the two available slots. Analysts and diplomats point to Berlin's unwavering support for Israel in the Gaza conflict as a key factor, while Russia's opposition to Germany's pro-Ukraine stance also played a role.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has sharply rejected recent accusations by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarding human rights and Iran’s nuclear program, calling them baseless, unobjective, and selective. Kanaani warned that interference in Iran’s internal affairs is unacceptable and urged Germany to show more responsibility in its statements.
German police forcibly dispersed a Palestinian Nakba Day march in a major city, with footage showing protesters pinned to the ground. The incident comes amid renewed Israel-Hamas conflict and heightened attention across Europe. Organizers aimed to raise awareness of Palestinian rights while police cited concerns over public disorder.
A car plowed into a crowd in central Leipzig, Germany, killing at least two people and injuring others. Police arrested the driver, but the motive remains unknown. The incident is the latest in a series of vehicle attacks in Germany.
The European Union expressed surprise at the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. EU Foreign Minister Kaya Kallas noted that Brussels was not informed in advance and is evaluating the security implications.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sought to calm tensions with the United States, asserting that Washington's troop reduction in Germany is not related to his criticism of Donald Trump's Iran strategy and reaffirming the US remains NATO's key ally. The remarks came after Trump threatened to withdraw troops and imposed new tariffs on EU cars, escalating a transatlantic rift.
