World Cup 2026: Curacao vs Ivory Coast Tips, Prediction & Odds

* Prices from Betway, accurate when this was written.

Curacao meet Ivory Coast at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Thursday, kicking off at 22:00 CAT. The Ivorians are second on three points and a win should all but secure a spot in the round of 32, while Curacao sit last with only one point and are still hunting the meaningful goal they have not managed yet. For Dick Advocaat and the smallest country ever to make the finals, this one is about pride and making history. You can find every World Cup betting tips we have in our dedicated section.

Curacao

Curacao found this stage harsh in their first match, conceding seven to Germany, before a gritty goalless draw with Ecuador that at least proved they can hang in. I think Dick Advocaat will once more tell them to sit deep and frustrate, relying on keeper Eloy Room and skipper Leandro Bacuna to keep it together. They offer very little going forward and have only scored one goal at the tournament, so in truth they are trying to keep the margin down. As I see it, they will hold on for a while before the difference in quality shows.

Expected Lineup: Room; Brenet, Gaari, Obispo, Floranus, Fonville; Comenencia, L. Bacuna, J. Bacuna; Locadia, Gorre.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast lost narrowly to Germany after beating Ecuador in their first game, and they know that winning here should all but lock up second place and a knockout spot. Franck Kessie runs the midfield and is a danger from set pieces, while Amad Diallo and Evann Guessand bring real quality in the final third. To my mind they have far too much speed and strength for Curacao and will try to score early to calm any nerves. Goal difference only comes into play for them if Ecuador shock Germany, but either way the gap in quality here should give them an easy win.

Expected Lineup: Fofana; Singo, Kossounou, Agbadou, Konan; Sangare, Kessie, Oulai; Diallo, Guessand, Diomande.

Ivory Coast have the quality and the drive to win this one easily. Curacao will defend with plenty of bodies, but they do not have the players or the attacking threat to keep up with the Elephants for ninety minutes. My forecast: Curacao 0 Ivory Coast 3.

BTTS: No (1.48)

I am going with Both Teams To Score: No, because Curacao have only scored once in the whole tournament and will set up purely to survive. Ivory Coast are solid at the back with Kossounou and Agbadou and should keep a clean sheet against the weakest attack in the group. At 1.48, a shutout for the Elephants is the bet I have the most faith in here.