Curacao have a mountain to climb. The good news for Dick Advocaat’s team is that the prize at the top is very tangible and worth the effort.
Ivory Coast are the final opponents for Curacao in Group E and a win, unlikely as it might seem, would put them into the round of 32. If Germany avoid defeat against Ecuador, the Blue Wave wouldn’t even have to wait to celebrate it.
The bad news is that Ivory Coast have given little indication thus far that they’re prone to a shock World Cup 2026 group stage exit.
Curacao vs Ivory Coast betting odds from BOYLE Sports
- Curacao WIN – 18/1
- Draw – 13/2
- Ivory Coast WIN – 1/8
Play our free match predictor and win £1k
Curacao vs Ivory Coast prediction
Ivory Coast have so far won a game they might have drawn and lost a game they might have won. In pushing Germany all the way, the Elephants at least did enough to expect a second group stage win at Lincoln Financial Field today.
A draw would be enough in any case. The Ivorians’ win over Ecuador means that they can only be overtaken into second place if they lose to Curacao.
It’s all-or-nothing for Curacao. If they win, they’ll progress. If they don’t, they won’t. To even be in this position after getting picked apart in their first game is a minor miracle in itself.
Ivory Coast have scored one goal in each of their two group games, Curacao one in total. That was in a 7-1 loss against Germany and was followed by a clean sheet against Curacao.
All of which is to say, it’s difficult to know whether the debutants will get walloped or resolutely give themselves a platform to nick a win or something in between. The smart money is probably on the latter.
History beckons for Ivory Coast too. Despite qualifying for three World Cups in a row between 2006 and 2010, and becoming a formidable force in African international football, a draw in Philadelphia would take them past the group stage for the first time.
Winning the group is most likely a step too far but new territory awaits.
Score prediction: Curacao 0-2 Ivory Coast
The best World Cups are full of surprises and Curacao beating Ivory Coast to go through at the first time of asking would certainly be that.
Although Ivory Coast haven’t quite hit their best, they have the wherewithal to breach the Curacaoan defences. On the evidence of Group E so far, that should be enough.
How to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast
You can watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast in Group E of World Cup 2026 for free. All the information you need is in our how to watch guide.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC in the UK, FS1 in the United States and SBS in Australia.
What’s your Curacao vs Ivory Coast prediction? Let us know below…