Curacao v Ivory Coast: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction

After spurning a lead to lose 2-1 to Germany on matchday two, Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae says his side are ready to make history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

Amad Diallo’s 90th-minute winner against Ecuador in their opener means the Elephants remain well placed to progress to the last 32 when they face competition debutants Curacao in Philadelphia on Thursday.

“Our destiny is in our hands and our feet,” Fae told FIFA. “I really think we have what it takes to do it. We also have the determination.

“We’ve been through difficult moments but the squad has managed to stay united and together at all times.”

Eloy Room vanquised the pain of losing 7-1 to Germany in Curacao’s first-ever finals match by making a record-equalling 15 saves in their 0-0 draw with Ecuador.

Dick Advocaat’s team will put themselves in a strong position to reach the last 32 if they spring a huge surprise against opponents ranked 50 places above them by FIFA.

“You put me in a nice line with [Lionel] Messi,” Miami FC’s Room told one reporter who suggested his display had been as memorable as the Argentina captain’s hat-trick against Algeria.

“If you think about it, it’s legendary. But I was not busy with all of that; I was busy stopping the balls and making sure we got a point. The rest, we’ll see later.”

Group E winners Germany meet an Ecuador side needing victory in the simultaneous closing match of the section in New Jersey.

World Cup 2026: Curacao v Ivory Coast team news

Ivory Coast defender Wilfried Singo is a doubt with a thigh injury sustained against Germany but centre-back Evan Ndicka could feature for the first time in the campaign, having returned to training following the same issue.

Middlesbrough winger Sontje Hansen has not featured for Curacao since being substituted at half-time in their defeat to Die Mannschaft.

Gervane Kastaneer, who top-scored for the Blue Wave in qualifying with five goals, has come on seven minutes from the end of both of their matches and could be given more time with the imperative on winning.

Curacao v Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups

Curacao starting XI: Eloy Room, Joshua Brenet, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Sherel Floranus, Deveron Fonville, Tahith Chong, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna, Jurgen Locadia

Ivory Coast starting XI: Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Odilon Kossounou, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan, Amad Diallo, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Christ Inao Oulai, Yan Diomande, Ange-Yoan Bonny

Where to watch Curacao v Ivory Coast: TV channel, live online streams

Kick-off on Thursday is at 21:00 BST (18:00 ET / 15:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on BBC Two.

Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website.

World Cup 2026: Curacao v Ivory Coast stats

• Curacao are World Cup debutants alongside Cape Verde, Jordan and Uzbekistan, representing the most newcomers since the 2006 edition, when six teams made their bow at the tournament. The last debutants to reach the knockout stage were Slovakia in 2010
• They are the first CONCACAF debutants at the World Cup since Panama in 2018 and could become the first side from that confederation to progress from the group stage on their debut since Costa Rica in 1990 (round of 16).
• As well as scoring the most goals in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying (28), Curacao also led the way for expected goals (22.7), with their four goals from high turnovers only bettered by Costa Rica (6)
• In CONCACAF qualifying, no player created more chances from open play than Curacao’s Juninho Bacuna (20)
• Kastaneer scored two more goals than any of his teammates in qualifying
• In their fourth appearance at the World Cup and their first since 2014, Ivory Coast could progress past the group stage for the first time
• Ivory Coast did not concede a single goal in their 10 qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup; they were one of two teams in the CAF qualifiers to achieve that feat, alongside Tunisia
• Fifteen different players scored for Ivory Coast in qualifying, which is more than any other nation (Tunisia next, on 14)
• Simon Adingra was involved in more goals than any other Ivory Coast player in qualifying (5 – 2 goals, 3 assists) and was also one of only two players to feature in every single qualifier
• Fae is managing at his first World Cup and was part of Ivory Coast’s squad for the country’s World Cup debut in 2006, although he did not feature at that tournament

World Cup 2026: Curacao v Ivory Coast prediction

Curacao 0-3 Ivory Coast

Room will be hoping for more heroics and history, but Ivory Coast have won 10 and drawn two of their last 12 matches against teams currently ranked below them and can be backed to go through comfortably.