Ivory Coast return to the World Cup after a 12-year hiatus with an opening Group E encounter against Ecuador early Monday morning in Philadelphia.
The Elephants bring a three-game winning streak into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hoping to make it past the Group stages for the first time in their history.
Tournament favorites Germany and lowly-ranked Curaçao are the other teams in the Group, giving the Ivorians a realistic chance at qualification.
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Ivory Coast beat France 2-1, the number three ranked nation in the world, in their friendlies leading up to the finals. This victory is destined to lift their confidence levels as they prepare to take to the field on Monday.
They take on an Ecuador side who secured a second-place CONMEBOL finish to book a place in this summer’s tournament. They are looking to make it past the Group stage for the first time since 2006.
Ecuador have not lost a game since September 2004, winning eight and drawing 11 times in that impeccable run.
Can the African giants stretch their winning run here to get all three points in their opening fixture, or will the South Americans make it back-to-back wins in opening games at the World Cup?
Read the full analysis here as well as our predicted outcome.
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What time does Ivory Coast vs Ecuador start?
The match kicks off at 2AM E.A.T at the Lincoln Financial Field.
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador team news
With no major injury concerns to worry about, the Ivorians are set to field their strongest XI here. Only Clement Akpa is missing for Emerse Fae’s side.
Manchester United’s Amad Diallo is in great form and will be the key component of the Elephants attack, as well as Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie.
Elly Wahi has been in good form prior to the tournament but may have to settle for a place on the bench here.
The Ecuadorians will rely on the experience of Enner Valencia, who has scored six of their last seven goals at the World Cup finals.
English Premier League duo of Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie will both start for Ecuador, controlling proceedings in midfield.
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador head-to-head and current form
The Elephants have won four of their last five games prior to this potentially electrifying encounter. Their last defeat came in a 3-2 loss to Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
Their opponents are unbeaten in almost two years and will be confident they can extend that run here.
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This will be the first ever competitive match between these two sides.
Current form:
Ivory Coast – WWWWL
Ecuador – WWDDW
Betway
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador prediction
With a point to prove, Ivory Coast are expected to hit the ground running and ambush their opponents with an attacking flurry. This is expected to yield at least a goal for Fae’s side.
With a remarkable unbeaten record to protect, Ecuador may approach the match with a defensive nature that may limit their attempts on goal.
Prediction – Over 1.5 goals
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