Ivory Coast will look to end their group stage campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a big win when they face debutants Curacao at the Philadelphia Stadium.
Ayomide Oguntimehin provides the detailed match preview and betting tips for the June 25th matchup.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast match preview
Curacao enter this clash with slight hopes of qualifying, and a victory would not only see them record their first-ever win at the World Cup, but would see them advance to the next round of the tournament. The Blue Wave are playing in the World Cup for the first time in their history, but were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in their opening clash.
However, they sealed a historic point in their second game when they drew 0-0 with Ecuador to stand a chance of reaching the next round.
Five most valuable African nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, need to avoid defeat to finish as runners-up in the group and set up a possible Round of 32 clash against either France or Norway. The Elephants opened their campaign against Ecuador, sealing a 1-0 win.
However, they were defeated 2-1 in their second group game by Germany, who have already finished as group winners. With the likes of Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo in their team, they will fancy their chances of a win against the minnows in their final group game in Philadelphia.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast Head-to-Head
Both sides have never played against each other at senior international level.
Best betting odds
Away (Ivory Coast) to Win – 1.19 (via Betano)
๐๐๐จ ๐ฬ๐ก๐ฬ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐จ ๐จ๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ ๐๐ฬ๐๐ฬ ๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐ฃ๐ฬ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐จ ๐๐๐ช๐๐ ๐ช๐พ
๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ง๐ ๐ง๐ฬ๐๐ช๐ฅ๐ฬ๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก ๐จ๐ช๐ง ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ง๐๐๐ฃ, ๐ฉ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐ก๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐ฅ๐ ๐ฅ๐ค๐ช๐ง๐จ๐ช๐๐ฉ ๐จ๐ ๐ฅ๐ง๐ฬ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ก๐ ๐ข๐ฬ๐ข๐โฆ pic.twitter.com/B6aXx2bi0X
โ รquipe Nationale de Football Cote dโIvoire ๐จ๐ฎ๐ (@equipenatciv) June 21, 2026
Prediction
Ivory Coast are the stronger side and the presence of the likes of Diomande, Amad and Bonny will prove too strong to handle for the Curacao defence, giving the Africa heavyweights a much-needed win to advance.
Recent form: Curacao
Curacao are winless in both of their games at the World Cup so far, and have only won once in their last six matches across all competitions.
They have also kept two clean sheets in their last three matches, including in a memorable 0-0 draw with Ecuador which sealed their first-ever point at the Mundial.
Recent form: Ivory Coast
Ivory Coastโs defeat to Germany in their last match was their first in six games across all competitions, having won the five games before then.
The Elephants have also kept four clean sheets during this period and have also found the target in every match as well.
Player to watch
Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)
Salah and four other Africans to fight for Golden Ball at the 2026 World Cup
Highly rated youngster Yan Diomande has been impressive so far at the World Cup, picking up the Man of the Match award in the 1-0 win over Ecuador.
The teenagerโs pace and dribbling ability will cause the Curacao defence problems, and he will be looking to score his first goal at the tournament.
