Ivory Coast reach World Cup knockout stage first time
US - Nicolas Pepe brace help Ivory Coast advance World Cup first time, end journey of debutant Curacao.
Before final round, Ivory Coast rank second Group E with 3 points. Cannot take top spot from Germany due to 3-point deficit and head-to-head record (lose 1-2). But chance to advance high for African team as opponent is weakest team Curacao.
Gap show early with opening goal minute 6 in Philadelphia. Jurien Gaari pass too strong, Joshua Brenet fail to control at baseline. Ball bounce to Yan Diomande rushing into box. 19-year-old striker cross to near post, Nicolas Pepe cut in, finish left foot to open score.
Curacao cannot control skill, speed of Yan and Amad Diallo. Ivory Coast hold over 70% possession, but first half see more passing combinations than clear scoring chances.
Second half, Ivory Coast play slow, solid. Curacao push high to press. But squad quality not let coach Dick Advocaat team enter box of best defense in Africa.
Minute 64, Ivory Coast strike killer blow. After slow play on right wing, they speed up. Ibrahim Sangare slide pass into box, Pepe control, curl left foot into top left corner, seal 2-0 win.
Eloy Room play well, make two saves to prevent more goals. Noslin make final mark for Curacao with 40m lob from right wing seeing goalie high, but Yahia Fofana alert, backpedal to tip ball over bar.
Ivory Coast advance as Group E runners-up, level points with Germany (who shock lose 1-2 to Ecuador). They face Group I runner-up, France or Norway, in round of 16.
World Cup expansion from 32 to 48 teams help Ivory Coast pass group stage first time. Previously, team with stars like Kolo and Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho miss out three times in 2006, 2010, 2014.
Ivory Coast striker Nicolas Pepe (19) score brace in 2-0 win against Curacao in final match Group E World Cup 2026 at Philadelphia stadium in US June 25, 2026. Photo: AP
This tournament, Ivory Coast have young stars, but difference lies in system and defensive discipline under coach Emerse Fae. They pass Africa World Cup 2026 qualifiers winning 8 of 10 matches, clean sheets. In 2026 so far, they win 7, lose 2, concede 6 goals.
Meanwhile, Curacao historic run end. With squad mostly Dutch-born players, Caribbean island nation play tough in 5 of 6 halves. They draw Germany in opener before losing 1-7. Then dramatic 0-0 draw with Ecuador, goalie Room make 15 saves – most in single match since World Cup 2014.
Group E winner Germany face third-place team from Group A, B, C, D, or F. Ecuador advance as one of 8 best third-place teams, wait for group stage end to know opponent.
Starting lineups
Curacao: Eloy Room, Jurien Gaari, Sherel Floranus, Armando Obispo, Joshua Brenet, Deveron Fonville, Juninho Bacuna, Leandro Bacuna, Livano Comenencia, Tahith Chong, Juergen Locadia
Ivory Coast: Yahia Fofana, Ousmane Diomande, Odilon Kossounou, Christopher Operi, Guela Doue, Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pepe.
FIFA propose single coin toss to simplify shootout, limit random advantage before World Cup 2026 knockout stage. 42
Brobbey - extortion victim becomes Netherlands hope
Once extorted, long criticized, striker Brian Brobbey rise to become new hope for Netherlands team at World Cup 2026. 2
What teams need to enter World Cup 2026 knockout stage?
Many teams have 100% chance to pass group stage though not official on paper. Many others must score more goals to reach round of 32. 38