Perception will probably be excessive in each camps as Ivory Coast and Ecuador get their respective World Cup campaigns below manner in Philadelphia on Sunday.
It’s been some time for the reason that Elephants might name upon the companies of real superstars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure, however Emerse Fae’s aspect come into the competitors decided to begin strongly having received their final 4 matches.
The African aspect have by no means gone past the group stage in three makes an attempt however, given the expanded format this time spherical, there will probably be plentiful confidence that they will make historical past in North America.
Ecuador, in the meantime, have as soon as beforehand had a style of World Cup knockout soccer after they had been eradicated by England within the Spherical of 16 20 years in the past.
Nonetheless, this time they boast arguably their biggest ever squad, with the likes of Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, latest Premier League winner Piero Hincapie, and Willian Pacho, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, amongst their ranks.
Plus, in teenager Kendry Paez, La Tri have a doable break-out star.
Sebastian Beccacece’s males had been mightily spectacular in qualifying, reaching the finals behind solely holders Argentina within the standings and can arrive within the US intent on turning a couple of heads.
Ivory Coast crew information
Ivory Coast XI: Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Singo, Agbadou, Konan, Diomande, Seko Fofana, Kessie, Toure, Pepe, Wahi
Ecuador crew information
Ecuador XI: Galindez, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie, Vite, Caicedo, Franco, Minda, Yeboah, Valencia, Plata
The place to look at Ivory Coast v Ecuador: TV and on-line streams
Ivory Coast versus Ecuador kicks off on Sunday at midnight UK time. You’ll be able to watch it on BBC 1 and stream through the iPlayer.
Click on HERE for a full World Cup TV information
Stats for Ivory Coast v Ecuador
- Ivory Coast will probably be making their fourth look on the World Cup, their first since 2014. They’ve but to progress previous the group stage.
- Ivory Coast didn’t concede a single purpose of their 10 qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup; they had been certainly one of solely two groups within the CAF qualifiers to attain that feat alongside Tunisia.
- Fifteen completely different gamers scored for Ivory Coast within the CAF qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, greater than some other nation (Tunisia subsequent on 14).
- This will probably be Ecuador’s fifth participation at a World Cup. The one time they reached the knockout phases was in 2006 – they had been eradicated by England within the spherical of 16.
- Solely two of Ecuador’s earlier 13 matches on the World Cup have led to a draw (W5 L6). They’ve solely misplaced certainly one of their final 5 matches, towards Senegal on the final World Cup (1-2).
- Ecuador completed second behind Argentina within the CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, equalling their finest ever efficiency in a qualifying marketing campaign for the event (additionally 2002).
- In addition they boasted the strongest protection within the part, conceding simply 5 targets throughout 18 matches, and misplaced the fewest matches (2 away defeats towards Argentina & Brazil).
