Curaçao vs Ivory Coast: prediction & betting odds 25 June 2026

Form and Line-up Curacao

After the heavy defeat to Germany (1:7), everyone put Curacao on the list of the main outsiders at the World Cup, but the national team suddenly stopped a solid Ecuador side (0:0). However, the scoreline did not come close to reflecting the nature of the match. After all, if a goalkeeper sets a tournament record for saves (15), that clearly does not flatter the defence. The team allowed 2.84 xGA from 27 shots. Only a miracle saved the side from a second straight thrashing.

The saddest thing is that Curacao looked completely flat in attack. Their rare counter-attacks did end with shots, but it would be hard to call them dangerous (only 3 of 10 were on target). Lone forward Locadia looked particularly poor: not a single successful dribble and only six duels won out of 14.

Key numbers for Curacao:

• Four defeats in six matches in 2026.

• Scored more than one goal only once in six matches.

• Eloy Room made 15 saves against Ecuador - a World Cup record.

Probable Curacao line-up (5-4-1): Eloy Room - Joshua Brenet, Sherel Floranus, Jurien Gaari, Armando Obispo, Deveron Fonville - Tahith Chong, Livano Comenencia, Leandro Bacuna, Juninho Bacuna - Jurgen Locadia

Form and Line-up Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast met Germany (1:2) in the second round and left a positive impression. That is shown at least by the fact that the Germans scored the winner only in the 94th minute. The African team's defence is a real wall. The centre-back pairing of Kossounou and Agbadou looked especially impressive, bluntly shutting down Havertz and Musiala and denying Germany any chance of a shot from dangerous range near the penalty area.

However, this national team's strength is its attack, which is built through two technicians on the flanks - Diomande and Diallo. Their aim is to beat their man one-on-one and burst to the byline, from where they fire low balls hard across goal. That was exactly how the only goal was scored, when Yan went past none other than Kimmich.

Why can that kind of play not be compared with ordinary crosses? Because the winger's aim is to catch the defenders by surprise. They end up facing their own goal, cannot track the runners and, most importantly, cannot clear the ball far from goal. If Franck Kessie had been a little more technically polished, the Germans definitely would not have got away with conceding just once.

Key numbers for Ivory Coast:

• Scored at least one goal in 12 matches in a row.

• Created 1.22 xG against Germany.

• Fofana, Kessie and Doue are on yellow cards and have to play carefully.

Probable Ivory Coast line-up (4-5-1): Yahia Fofana - Ghislain Konan, Emmanuel Agbadou, Odilon Kossounou, Guela Doue - Amad Diallo, Christ Oulai, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Yan Diomande - Ange-Yoan Bonny

Absentees: Wilfried Singo (injury)

Who will referee the match 

Glenn Nyberg (Sweden) 

Matches – 7 (International matches, 2026);

Average fouls per match – 23;

Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 2,8;

Matches with a straight red card – 1 out of 7;

Matches with a penalty – 3 out of 7.