Curaçao Eye Fairytale as Ivory Coast Chase Knockout Spot in Philadelphia

The most unlikely story of the 2026 World Cup gets a final chapter at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where debutants Curaçao face Ivory Coast in a Group E decider that could yet send the smallest nation in tournament history into the knockout rounds.

What's at stake

With Germany already through as group winners on six points, the battle for second is wide open. Ivory Coast sit second on three points after Franck Kessié's strike could not prevent a narrow loss to Germany, while Curaçao have one point following Eloy Room's record-breaking goalkeeping heroics in their goalless draw with Ecuador. Curaçao almost certainly need to win; Ivory Coast know a draw may well suffice.

Form and prediction

Ivory Coast have shown grit, beating Ecuador late through Amad Diallo and pushing Germany hard, and their cutting edge should ultimately tell against a Curaçao side reliant on backs-to-the-wall defending. Curaçao's spirit and Room's form make them dangerous, but Emerse Fae's Elephants carry more quality going forward. Prediction: Ivory Coast 2-0 Curaçao.