After passionate group finales at New York–New Jersey Stadium and Philadelphia Stadium, everything is set in Group E. Despite a shocking loss against Ecuador, Germany finished in first place with a total of six points and a whopping +7 goal difference. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast‘s win over Curacao was enough for the Elephants to hold on to second place in Group E, punching their ticket to the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup.

For the first time in the country’s history, Ivory Coast, whose FIFA abbreviation is “CIV,” are through to the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup. The saying has materialized: There are elephants in the room, and the rest of the world must address them.

Are Ecuador through to the round of 32?

As for Ecuador, they completed the miracle by defeating Germany 2-1, and they are officially through to the next round. La Tri have four points and are guaranteed to rank among the eight best third place teams. Even in a worst-case scenario, Ecuador would be the eighth-best team to finish third in a group. Thus, they are through to the knockout stage for the first time in 20 years.

Ecuador will return to their camp in Columbus from the City That Never Sleeps, but they will be getting no sleep as they celebrate an incredible accomplishment in the 2026 World Cup. With four points, Ecuador have advanced to the round of 32 as one of the best third-place teams. Still, they must wait to learn who their next rival will be in the World Cup.

Group E final scores

Ecuador delivered one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 World Cup, taking down Germany in East Rutherford. Only a win could keep Ecuador alive, and that’s exactly what Sebastian Beccacece’s team accomplished. Against all odds, after enduring criticism from all sides, Ecuador pulled off the miracle and are in the round of 32.

As for Ivory Coast, they barely broke a sweat in defeating Curacao 2-0 in Philadelphia. The Elephants took care of business and secured second place in Group E, meaning Ivory Coast’s next opponent will be whoever finishes second in Group I. Curacao are out of the 2026 World Cup with their loss to Ivory Coast, and their first World Cup appearance has officially come to an end.

Contrary to all forecasts heading into the game, and somewhat surprisingly, of the three teams to advance from Group E, it was Germany (who won the group) that left the most confusing impression and appear to have the most work to do going forward.

Final Group E standings

Ivory Coast took control early through Nicolas Pépé, who opened the scoring in the 7th minute after cutting inside and curling a left‑footed shot into the top corner from an Ibrahim Sangaré assist. The winger struck again in the 64th minute with an almost identical finish, completing his brace and strengthening Côte d’Ivoire’s hold on the match.

The victory lifts Ivory Coast to six points, enough to finish second in Group E regardless of the outcome between Germany and Ecuador. Curacao, meanwhile, finish their first-ever World Cup appearance at the bottom of the World Cup Group  E  final  standings after collecting just one point from three matches.

What does the result mean for Curacao?

Although Curacao’s World Cup adventure ends in the group stage, the Caribbean side produced memorable moments during their tournament debut. Following a difficult 7-1 loss to Germany, Dick Advocaat’s team responded with a resilient scoreless draw against Ecuador, highlighted by Eloy Room’s remarkable 15-save performance.

How did Ivory Coast secure qualification?

The Elephants entered the final matchday knowing that a victory would guarantee their place in the knockout stage without relying on any other result. They delivered exactly that, controlling the match after Pépé’s early strike and managed the game effectively to preserve the clean sheet, with the winger later adding a second to seal the win.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Curacao sit No. 81 in the world with 1,299.41 points. Meanwhile, the African side enters the match in a favorable position, Curacao remain alive after a resilient performance on Matchday 2.

Ivory Coast arrive needing a positive result after suffering a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Germany on Matchday 2. Curacao, meanwhile, recovered from a 7-1 loss to Germany by earning a scoreless draw against Ecuador, thanks largely to goalkeeper Eloy Room, whose 15-save performance matched a World Cup record.

How does Curacao’s FIFA ranking compare to Ivory Coast?

Curacao enter the match ranked 81st in the FIFA standings, while Ivory Coast occupy the 30th position with 1,551.71 points. Despite the ranking gap, the Caribbean nation has shown resilience throughout the tournament and remain mathematically alive heading into the final matchday.

The difference of more than 250 ranking points highlights the contrast in international pedigree between the two nations, yet the World Cup has already delivered several surprises.

Which players could make the difference?

Ivory Coast will once again look to Amad Diallo for attacking inspiration. The Manchester United winger scored the winning goal against Ecuador and has been one of the team’s most dangerous players throughout the tournament.

For Curacao, much of the spotlight remains on Eloy Room after his heroic display against Ecuador. The team will also rely on the creativity of Tahith Chong and the experience of the Bacuna brothers as they attempt to produce another surprise result and keep their World Cup dream alive.

Sweden’s Glenn Nyberg will be the referee in charge of Thursday’s clash. The 36-year-old official has become a familiar face in major international competitions after handling high-profile matches across Europe and FIFA tournaments.

His ability to manage intense contests will be tested as both teams fight for a place in the knockout rounds. Referees often become a talking point in important matches and that could once again be the case in Philadelphia, the city hosting the match between Curacao and Ivory Coast.

What is Glenn Nyberg’s refereeing style?

Glenn Nyberg is generally considered a balanced referee who prefers to keep matches flowing but is not afraid to use disciplinary measures when games become physical. The Swedish official has built a reputation across UEFA.

He became a FIFA-listed referee in 2016. Over the course of his domestic and international career, he has typically produced moderate card numbers, placing him somewhere between a lenient and a strict referee.

He has regularly officiated high-profile matches in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and international competitions. His experience at the highest level has made him one of Sweden’s most trusted officials.

One of the defining characteristics of his style is his willingness to let physical challenges go when they are fair. Rather than issuing early cautions to establish authority, he often attempts to manage players through verbal warnings and preventive officiating.

However, if a match begins to escalate, he has shown a willingness to hand out yellow cards quickly to regain control. That approach has helped him earn appointments in major UEFA KO matches and now at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Who are the assistant referees and VAR officials?

Glenn Nyberg will be assisted by fellow Swedes Mahbod Beigi and Andreas Soderkvist during the Curacao vs. Ivory Coast match. The all-Swedish on-field officiating team has worked together extensively in UEFA competitions.

FIFA has also appointed Switzerland’s Sandro Scharer as the fourth official, while Stephane De Almeida, also from Switzerland, will serve as the reserve assistant referee. Both officials have significant experience in international competitions.

The Video Assistant Referee crew has not been publicly listed in FIFA’s official match appointment announcement available before kickoff. However, FIFA selected 30 specialized VAR officials for the tournament.

With an experienced referee, seasoned assistant referees and the support of FIFA’s VAR system, the officiating team will be tasked with managing a match that could determine which nation advances to the knockout stage.

The Elephants opened their tournament with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Ecuador thanks to a late goal from Yan Diomande. However, their hopes of securing qualification early were damaged by a 2-1 defeat to Germany on Matchday 2, with the winning goal arriving deep into stoppage time.

Curacao, meanwhile, kept their World Cup dream alive after a resilient 0-0 draw against Ecuador in Kansas City. Goalkeeper Eloy Room delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament, making 15 saves to earn a valuable point after Curacao had suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opener.

What happens if Ivory Coast win vs Curacao?

If Ivory Coast defeat Curacao, they will finish the group stage with six points and automatically qualify for the Round of 32 as Group E runners-up. A victory would guarantee qualification regardless of the result between Germany and Ecuador in New York. It would also cap an impressive recovery after their narrow loss to the Germans on Matchday 2.

What happens if Ivory Coast and Curacao tie?

A draw would move Ivory Coast to four points and would still be enough to secure second place in Group E. Even if Ecuador were to upset Germany and also reach four points, Ivory Coast would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to their victory over Ecuador earlier in the tournament. As a result, the Elephants would advance to the knockout stage with a draw.

What happens if Ivory Coast lose vs Curacao?

A defeat would create a much more complicated scenario. Ivory Coast would remain on three points, while Curacao would jump to four and move into second place in the group. A loss to Curacao combined with an Ecuador win over Germany eliminates Ivory Coast.

But if Ivory Coast lose and Ecuador don’t win, the African side would finish third. In that case, Ivory Coast would have to wait to see if they finish as one of the best eight third-place teams to seal a Round of 32 berth.

2026 World Cup Group E standings

How to watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast in the USA

Fans in the United States won’t want to miss this marquee matchup, available live on FS1 and Telemundo via standard television broadcasts.

Viewers can also stream the game on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium. Don’t miss this exciting showdown.

Can I watch Curacao vs Ivory Coast for free?

Fans in the United States can catch this highly anticipated clash live on Fubo and DirecTV Stream. Eligible users may also receive a free five-day trial.

Both platforms provide nationwide live access, allowing audiences to follow every key sequence and decisive highlight in real time from start to finish.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Group E heads into a decisive matchup with Germany already locked into first place. Ivory Coast, sitting on three points from two matches, controls its own destiny in the race for a spot in the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Curaçao kept its hopes alive by earning the country’s first-ever World Cup point with a strong performance against Ecuador. With advancement still within reach, the underdogs will look to make more history in this crucial showdown.

Curacao vs Ivory Coast: Predicted Lineups

Curacao (5-4-1): Eloy Room, Juriën Gaari, Cuco Martina, Roshon van Eijma, Sherel Floranus, Leandro Bacuna, Vurnon Anita, Juninho Bacuna, Jearl Margaritha, Rangelo Janga, Jürgen Locadia.

Ivory Coast (4-3-3): Yahia Fofana; Guela Doué, Odilon Kossounou, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ghislain Konan; Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Christ Inao Oulaï; Amad Diallo, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomandé.

What time is the Curacao vs Ivory Coast match?

The match kicks off today, June 25, at 4:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 4:00 PM
Central Time: 3:00 PM
Mountain Time: 2:00 PM
Pacific Time: 1:00 PM

With kickoff set for 4:00 PM (ET), Curacao and Ivory Coast will be playing under high temperature (around 86°F/30°C). Forecasts for Philadelphia indicate partly cloudy skies with 35% humidity. More importantly, The Weather Channel suggests there’s no chance of rain, so there would be no need for FIFA to activate the weather protocol.

The official capacity of Philadelphia Stadium for the 2026 World Cup is 68,324. The primary box offices show the game as sold out, so a packed stadium is expected today. And since both Curacao and Ivory Coast have a chance to qualify for the next round today, there are reasons to watch this game.

Curacao’s situation

Curacao held Ecuador to a goalless draw on Matchday 2, which allows them to head into the group stage finale with Round of 32 hopes. The team coached by Dick Advocaat has one point, which gives it reason to believe.

However, anything short of a win probably won’t be enough for Curacao. While a loss will eliminate them, a draw would also leave them in a tough spot. Finishing the group stage with only two points might not be enough to be one of the eight best third-place teams.

Ivory Coast can’t rest on their laurels

Ivory Coast, on the other hand, are in a stronger position thanks to their 1-0 win over Ecuador on Matchday 1. The African side almost pulled off an upset against Germany but ended up losing the game, so the team now has three points in two games.

Ivory Coast cannot finish higher than second due to the tiebreak rules, and a draw will be enough for them to seal that position. However, a loss could see them fall to third or fourth place, depending on Ecuador’s result against Germany. If Ivory Coast lose and the South American side wins, the Africans will be out of the World Cup.

Group E standings before Matchday 3

Despite the mixed results, the Elephants have still improved their position in the FIFA World Ranking thanks to their performances during the tournament. With everything still to play for in Group E, Ivory Coast control their own destiny heading into the decisive clash against Curacao.

A very interesting detail for Ivory Coast is the impact all those performances placed them as a Top 30 squad in the world. Now, they have a chance to keep climbing.

What is Ivory Coast’s current FIFA ranking?

Ivory Coast are currently ranked 30th in the FIFA World Ranking with 1,551.71 points. The Elephants have climbed three positions since the start of the 2026 World Cup, making them one of the teams that has benefited the most from the tournament in ranking terms. This contrasts with Curacao’s current FIFA ranking.

How has Ivory Coast’s ranking changed during the World Cup?

Ivory Coast gained 27.75 FIFA ranking points after defeating Ecuador 1-0 in their Group E opener. That victory gave the African nation a significant boost and helped propel it up the global standings.

However, some of those gains were erased in the second match. The loss against Germany cost Ivory Coast 16.91 ranking points. Even after that setback, the Elephants remain in a better position than they were before the tournament began and have recorded a positive net gain overall.

Which African teams are ranked above Ivory Coast?

Among African nations, Ivory Coast currently trails five teams in the FIFA rankings: Morocco (6th), Senegal (19th), Nigeria (24th), Egypt (26th) and Algeria (27th). Ivory Coast currently stand as the sixth-highest-ranked African team in the world.

During the post-match press conference, Beccacece highlighted Ecuador’s superiority in the match and the few chances that Curacao had. “I never saw a team out of balance; instead, I saw a team that tried from all angles but could not convert. And that creates a frustration that is not easy to manage,” he commented.

However, he expressed confidence in still qualifying. “We have the opportunity to get that victory and keep working for that dream. The team looks for every path and every means. Failing to convert [chances] becomes contagious and is depriving the boys and the fans of joy. But as long as there are chances in soccer, life has taught me that you have to keep believing,” Beccacece concluded.

Ecuador will play for everything on the final matchday

Following a completely dreadful performance from the Ecuadorian squad, it will play for its survival against Germany, who come off a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, in the final group stage match to see if it is enough to rank among the best third-placed teams.

The draw neutralizes the head-to-head tiebreaker criterion between them, forcing Ecuador to seek a mandatory victory in the closing fixture and depend on subsequent criteria (such as overall goal difference or fair play) if it levels with Curacao in the standings again.

Beccacece recognizes the fans’ resentment

Criticism will clearly pour down on Beccacece from the Ecuadorian fans, targeting a coaching staff that was already facing scrutiny despite finishing second in the Conmebol qualifiers; however, it goes beyond that, stemming from the abysmal level of play reflected on the pitch and an apparent complacency within the group.

“I know it is a tough moment for the Ecuadorian people and that what I say does not matter, but I thank them for the effort,” Beccacece said. “It is normal for the fans to feel this suffering, and that is what hurts me the most…. I understand their discomfort and the anger toward me, but we are going to give it our all. Perhaps I have not managed to enter the hearts of the Ecuadorian people, but I will keep trying.”

Both Ecuador and Curacao have one point and need a win in their final match to have any realistic chance of advancing to the next round. Both teams are now below Germany (6pts), and Ivory Coast (3pts) in the Group E standings.

Hence, both are still alive, but their lifeline is in a dire situation. However, the result is historic for Curacao, as it is its first point in World Cup history. For Ecuador, it’s as disappointing of a result as it gets.

The tie between Ecuador and Curacao is hard to believe

Ecuador was just absolutely superior in every single statistic except for the one that matters the most: goals scored. Curacao, thanks in large part to its goalkeeper Eloy Room, managed to keep the boat afloat and keep a clean sheet.

Ecuador had 63% of possession compared to Curacao’s 26% (11% in contest). But where the difference is made huge is in the attempts at goal. Ecuador had 28 total attempts, 15 of them on target and 20 of them inside Curacao’s penalty area. Curacao just had 10 attempts and only three on target.

Curacao GK makes history vs. Ecuador

Per OptaJoe, Eloy Room’s 15 saves vs. Ecuador are the most on record (since 1966) by any goalkeeper in a FIFA World Cup game that didn’t feature any extra time. In fact, overall is the second-most in World Cup history.

Only USA’s Tim Howard is above him. Howard did it against Belgium in 2014, though the match went into extra time, so Howard had 30 more minutes of action. Also, USA ended up losing that match, while Room helped Curacao avoid defeat.

The South American side is not out of the competition following its opening defeat; however, its future now depends heavily on whether it wins, draws, or loses its second match.

Ecuador and Curacao will meet at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, with both teams needing all three points to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Can La Tri get the job done?

Estupinan looks ahead

A defeat in a World Cup opener can be difficult emotionally; however, Estupinan told the media that it is time to look forward and focus on securing qualification.

“The match is already behind us. We are doing very well, we are going to qualify, we are going to win. We want the whole country to be at ease,” he told Let’s Go Pro, ahead of clash between Ecuador and Curacao.

The AC Milan player also added: “We’ve turned the page, the best is yet to come. Let’s stay united, because we’ve had good moments.”

What’s next for Ecuador?

For the final matchday of Group E at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ecuador will face Germany on June 25, 2026. This high-stakes group-stage finale will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where Sebastian Beccacece’s squad will look to secure a crucial result to seal its place in the knockout rounds.