Ivory Coast and Ecuador kick off World Cup 2026 group campaigns in Philadelphia
Ivory Coast return to the World Cup after 12 years to face an Ecuador side riding a 19-match unbeaten run in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.
Match preview
The two sides meet at 7 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The match opens Group D, which also includes Germany and Curacao. FS1 will carry the broadcast in the United States.
Ivory Coast return
Ivory Coast are making their first World Cup appearance since 2014, ending a 12-year absence from the tournament. They will look to start strongly against a familiar opponent.
Ecuador’s unbeaten streak
Ecuador enter the contest on a 19-match unbeaten run, a run stretching back more than a year. A win would put them in a strong position to reach the knockout stages, which they have done only once before, in 2006.
Group D outlook
Both teams view this match as crucial to their chances of advancing from a group that features four-time champion Germany and debutant Curacao. The result will set the tone for the remainder of the group phase.
