Get our Curacao vs Ivory Coast prediction, lineups, and betting odds ahead of Thursday's match. Find the best bets and bet builder tips for this clash.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Match Summary
Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
Match Date | Thursday 25 June 2026 |
Match Time | 21:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Philadelphia, Philadelphia Stadium |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | BBC 2, RTE 2 |
Curacao and Ivory Coast close out Group E in Philadelphia, a fixture loaded with knockout consequences and a clear gap in quality between the two sides on paper.
Curacao have one point on the board after a 7-1 thumping by Germany and a battling goalless draw with Ecuador. Dick Advocaat's side must win to keep their hopes alive.
Ivory Coast sit on three points following a win over Ecuador and a narrow loss to Germany. A single point here guarantees their place in the round of 32.
This is the first meeting between the nations. With Curacao needing all three points and the Elephants chasing safety, both teams arrive with plenty to play for.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Form
Curacao have gone from conceding seven against Germany to keeping Ecuador out in a goalless draw, a remarkable turnaround built on stubborn defending. Goalkeeper Eloy Room was the hero with 15 saves, dragging his side to their first ever World Cup point and giving Advocaat's men real belief.
Ivory Coast have shown a direct edge, beating Ecuador thanks to a late Amad Diallo strike before losing 2-1 to Germany despite leading through captain Franck Kessie. Emerse Fae's side carry the greater threat going forward and only need a point, but their late lapses leave room for nerves.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Curacao: No injuries or suspensions reported.
Ivory Coast: Wilfried Singo (Injured/out).
Curacao
Jurgen Locadia picked up a knock against Ecuador but should be fit enough to lead the line. Advocaat is expected to name an unchanged side following the draw, with no further injury concerns to weigh up.
Ivory Coast
Right-back Wilfried Singo misses out after a hamstring injury suffered against Germany, with Guela Doue set to come in. Ousmane Diomande could also be handed a start at centre-back for Thursday's fixture.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Predicted Lineup
Curacao
Formation: 5-4-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: E. Room; D. Fonville, A. Obispo, J. Gaari, S. Floranus, J. Brenet; J. Bacuna, L. Comenencia, L. Bacuna, T. Chong; J. Locadia. Bench: To be confirmed.
Ivory Coast
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: Y. Fofana; G. Konan, E. Agbadou, O. Diomande, G. Doue; C. I. Oulai, I. Sangare, F. Kessie; Y. Diomande, A. Bonny, A. Diallo. Bench: To be confirmed.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Key Stats & Match Facts
Ivory Coast are rated as strong favourites, with their win probability sitting at 78% against just 11% for Curacao.
Both teams to score is given a 60% chance, reflecting Curacao's attacking moments and the Elephants' threat going forward.
Eloy Room's 15 saves against Ecuador equalled the all-time World Cup single-match save record.
Ivory Coast have averaged around 40% possession across their first two outings, leaning on direct play rather than extended spells of control.
Curacao's predicted total of around three goals for this contest points to an open and busy fixture in Philadelphia.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Ivory Coast carry the firepower and the motivation to get the job done here. Curacao's heroics against Ecuador were special, but the Elephants should have too much. Our prediction is a 2-0 away win.
Best Bets
Ivory Coast are strong favourites here, with the win priced at 2/11 (AK Bets), so for a longer angle we like Over 2.5 Goals at 8/15 (Unibet), which aligns with a projected total above three goals.
With both teams expected to find the net, Both Teams To Score Yes makes appeal at 7/4 (BetGoodWin), backing the Elephants to score while Curacao's attackers cause problems of their own.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Bet Builder
Our bet builder leans into Ivory Coast's attacking threat and a busy game, pairing Amad Diallo shots, plenty of goals and the Bacuna's to get involved in multiple fouls.
Amad Diallo Over 1.5 shots is the anchor. He has hit that line in five of his last seven outings and remains the Elephants' main creative spark from the right.
Both teams to score - Yes looks a smart play at a big price with both teams chasing the result here.
Juninho and Leandro Bacuna to commit 2+ fouls has landed in 11/16 starts for Juninho and 4/6 starts for Leandro.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 16/1 and is as short as 9/2 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of £115 from best to worst price.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Talking Points
This is a meeting of contrasting stakes. Ivory Coast are chasing the knockout stages for the first time in their history, having fallen at the group stage in 2006, 2010 and 2014, and a single point seals it. For Curacao, the story is Eloy Room, who leads the tournament for saves in a match and again shapes as their last line of resistance. Both he and captain Leandro Bacuna are set for landmark caps, a fitting backdrop to the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup digging in once more.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Predictions FAQs
When is the Curacao vs Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 game?
The Curacao vs Ivory Coast match is scheduled to kick off on Thursday 25 June 2026 at 21:00 UK time.
What is the best prediction for Curacao vs Ivory Coast?
Our prediction and betting tips will focus on the key matchups and squad news ahead of this World Cup 2026 fixture.
Where can I find Curacao vs Ivory Coast lineups?
Confirmed lineups and team news for both Curacao and Ivory Coast will be available shortly before kick-off.
What are the latest betting odds for Curacao vs Ivory Coast?
The latest betting odds, including match winner, goals, and bet builder options, can be found in our detailed preview.
Disclaimer
Please note: Betting offers and promotions linked in this Curacao vs Ivory Coast preview were live at the point of writing and may have since changed, expired, or been withdrawn.
Bookmakers featured here are operators our football experts work with on a regular basis and have direct experience of. Opening an account through one of these links may result in Oddschecker earning commission, which helps fund our coverage and expert football content throughout World Cup 2026.
Please gamble responsibly. 18+.
