Curacao vs Cote d’Ivoire Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Curacao have, quite remarkably, given themselves a chance of getting knockout football at FIFA World Cup 2026 as they now take on Cote d'Ivoire in Philadelphia.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Curacao preview: Punching above their weight
Coached by the oldest manager to ever coach at a FIFA World Cup Dick Advocaat, Curacao are the smallest country, both by size and population, to compete at a FIFA World Cup and the debutant minnows have certainly competed as they head into their final group game with a chance of qualifying.
Having started with a 7-1 demolition of Germany in a game in which Curacao scored a shock equaliser just before the first half hydration break, the Caribbean islanders then shared a goalless draw with Ecuador in Kansas City with goalkeeper Eloy Room equalling the record for the most saves by a goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup match.
Cote d’Ivoire preview: Impressive Ivorians
In their opening game of the FIFA World Cup, Cote d'Ivoire looked set to share a goalless draw with a stubborn Ecuador side before Amad Diallo pinched a late winner from a Wilfried Singo assist, earning the Ivorians their first ever win against South American opposition at a FIFA World Cup.
Les Elephants then went ahead against Germany in their second game in Toronto, via Franck Kessie, but substitute Deniz Undav turned the game on its head for the Germans to confirm top spot for Die Mannschaft with Simon Adingra missing a glorious opportunity to win the group for the Ivorians when the score was 1-1 late on.
Curacao team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Cote d’Ivoire team news
Team news will appear here closer to the match…
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): TBC
Unavailable: TBC
Questionable: TBC
Curacao’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Leandro Bacuna ($4.0m) – Defender
Tahith Chong ($4.2m) – Midfielder
Jurgen Locadia ($4.1m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Tahith Chong
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna
Free kicks: Juninho Bacuna
Corners: Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna
Cote d’Ivoire’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Wilfried Singo ($4.4m) – Defender
Yan Diomande ($5.9m) – Forward
Nicolas Pepe ($5.9m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Yan Diomande
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ibrahim Sangare, Franck Kessie
Free kicks: Yan Diomande
Corners: Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande
Key stats
- Coming soon
Curacao vs Cote d’Ivoire prediction
Curacao have been a lot better than many expected and that is perhaps something to be expected after coming through the rigour of CONCACAF qualification and boasting a squad with a lot of Eredivisie pedigree due to the Dutch influence of the squad, with 25 players born in the Netherlands.
Cote d'Ivoire would finish third in the group if Curacao were to prevail here and they have not yet completely wrapped up qualification so it is unlikely they will take their foot off the gas.
While Curacao were heroic in their stalemate against the Ecuadoreans, scoring goals is something Ecuador struggle with and the South Americans were still unfortunate to be held - and so the Ivorians will be expected to break the door down in Pennsylvania.
Curacao vs Cote d’Ivoire betting tip: Cote d'Ivoire to win
