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Belief will be high in both camps as Ivory Coast and Ecuador get their respective World Cup campaigns under way in Philadelphia on Sunday.
It’s been a while since the Elephants could call upon the services of genuine superstars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, but Emerse Fae’s side come into the competition determined to start strongly having won their last four matches.
The African side have never gone beyond the group stage in three attempts but, given the expanded format this time round, there will be abundant confidence that they can make history in North America.
Ecuador, meanwhile, have once previously had a taste of World Cup knockout football when they were eliminated by England in the Round of 16 two decades ago.
However, this time they boast arguably their greatest ever squad, with the likes of Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, recent Premier League winner Piero Hincapie, and Willian Pacho, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, among their ranks.
Plus, in teenager Kendry Paez, La Tri have a possible break-out star.
Sebastian Beccacece’s men were mightily impressive in qualifying, reaching the finals behind only holders Argentina in the standings and will arrive in the US intent on turning a few heads.
Ivory Coast team news
The big news from the Ivory Coast camp is the absence of Amad Diallo from the starting team.
The Manchester United man only makes the bench, while RB Leipzig’s much sought-after winger Yan Diomande starts from the off.
Ivory Coast XI: Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Lion, Agbadou, Konan, Diomande, Seko Fofana, Kessie, Toure, Pepe, Wahi
Ecuador team news
Premier League stars Caicedo and Hincapie form part of a strong Ecuadorian line-up that also includes PSG’s Pacho.
Juventus and Inter defensive target Joel Ordonez starts in defence, while Enner Valencia, the vastly-experienced 36-year-old, will lead the line for the South American side.
Ecuador XI: Galindez, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Vite, Caicedo, Franco, Minda, Yeboah, Valencia, Plata
Where to watch Ivory Coast v Ecuador: TV and online streams
Ivory Coast versus Ecuador kicks off on Sunday at midnight UK time. You can watch it on BBC 1 and stream via the iPlayer.
Click HERE for a full World Cup TV guide
Stats for Ivory Coast v Ecuador
- Ivory Coast will be making their fourth appearance at the World Cup, their first since 2014. They have yet to progress past the group stage.
- Ivory Coast did not concede a single goal in their 10 qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup; they were one of only two teams in the CAF qualifiers to achieve that feat alongside Tunisia.
- Fifteen different players scored for Ivory Coast in the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, more than any other nation (Tunisia next on 14).
- This will be Ecuador’s fifth participation at a World Cup. The only time they reached the knockout stages was in 2006 – they were eliminated by England in the round of 16.
- Only two of Ecuador’s previous 13 matches at the World Cup have ended in a draw (W5 L6). They’ve only lost one of their last five matches, against Senegal at the last World Cup (1-2).
- Ecuador finished second behind Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, equalling their best ever performance in a qualifying campaign for the tournament (also 2002).
- They also boasted the strongest defense in the section, conceding just five goals across 18 matches, and lost the fewest matches (2 away defeats against Argentina & Brazil).
