Curaçao vs Ivory Coast Picks and Prediction for Thursday, June 25, 2026
Use Code SSWC Curaçao faces Ivory Coast in the final Group E match at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Thursday at 4:00 PM ET on FS1. Curaçao enters Matchday 3 with a 0-1-1 record and one point after a surprising scoreless draw against Ecuador. Ivory Coast sits second in the group with three points following a 1-0 victory over Ecuador and a 2-1 loss to Germany. Germany has already secured first place with six points, while Ivory Coast remains in strong position to advance. Curaçao still has a mathematical path to the knockout stage but likely needs a victory and help elsewhere. Check out our free World Cup picks.
Curaçao Keeping Knockout Hopes Alive
Curaçao looked completely overmatched in its tournament opener, suffering a 7-1 defeat against Germany, but Dick Advocaat's side responded with one of the biggest surprises of Matchday 2. Curaçao held Ecuador to a 0-0 draw despite spending much of the match defending deep inside its own half. The result kept the nation's World Cup hopes alive heading into the final group fixture.
The biggest reason for that draw was goalkeeper Eloy Room, who delivered an outstanding performance with 15 saves against Ecuador. Defensively, Curaçao showed much more organization than it did against Germany, but the attack remains a concern. Curaçao has scored only one goal in two matches and is averaging just 0.46 expected goals per game. Livano Comenencia scored the team's lone tournament goal, while experienced players such as Leandro Bacuna, Tahith Chong, and Jurgen Locadia will need to contribute more if Curaçao hopes to pull off another surprise. The team is averaging only 30% possession through two matches and will likely spend long stretches defending once again.
Injuries: No reported injuries or suspensions.
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Ivory Coast Looking to Finish the Job
Ivory Coast enters the final group match knowing a victory would likely secure a place in the knockout rounds. The Elephants opened the tournament with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Ecuador before pushing Germany deep into stoppage time during a competitive 2-1 defeat. Despite the loss, Ivory Coast remains in a favorable position entering Matchday 3.
The attack has not been explosive, but the overall performances have been solid. Franck Kessié and Amad Diallo have both scored during the tournament, while young winger Yan Diomande continues to emerge as one of the team's most dangerous attacking threats. Ivory Coast owns a significant edge in expected goals, possession, and overall squad quality compared to Curaçao. The defensive unit led by Evan Ndicka, Ousmane Diomande, and Wilfried Singo has generally performed well, allowing only two goals through two matches. Manager Emerse Faé has built a disciplined group that rarely gives opponents easy scoring opportunities and should be confident entering this decisive fixture.
Injuries: No reported injuries or suspensions.
Curaçao vs Ivory Coast Pick
- Ivory Coast -2.5 (+110)
Ivory Coast has significantly more talent, depth, and attacking quality than Curaçao and enters the match with a clear motivation advantage. While Curaçao deserves credit for its defensive effort against Ecuador, the underlying numbers remain concerning. The Caribbean side has been outshot heavily throughout the tournament and owns a -6 goal differential through two matches. Ivory Coast played Germany competitively and defeated Ecuador, showing a much higher overall level than Curaçao. Expect the Elephants to control possession from the opening whistle and create enough scoring chances to win comfortably while securing advancement to the knockout stage.
Curaçao vs Ivory Coast Over/Under Pick
- Over 3.5 Goals (+125)
The total may appear high, but this matchup has the potential to become one-sided if Ivory Coast scores early. Curaçao allowed seven goals against Germany and owns the worst defensive stats in Group E, including 3.53 expected goals against per match. Ivory Coast understands that goal differential could still matter depending on results elsewhere in the group, creating incentive to remain aggressive throughout the match. With attacking players such as Diomande, Diallo, and Kessié capable of creating chances, the Elephants should generate plenty of opportunities. Curaçao may also be forced to open up late if trailing, increasing the possibility of additional goals.
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