Substitutes
Substitutes
Match Preview
- Côte d'Ivoire reach their fourth World Cup, having gone out in the group stage in 2014. Under Emerse Faé, a side packed with some of Africa's finest talent opens its campaign looking to make amends for that last appearance.
- Ecuador are at their fifth finals, again exiting in the group stage in 2022. Sebastián Beccacece's team came through South American qualifying built on a resilient defence, and they look to take a cautious, solid approach from the opener.
- Côte d'Ivoire's midfield revolves around captain Franck Kessié (29). A proven force who started for both AC Milan and Barcelona, he was named MVP of the AFCON staged in 2024. His presence at both ends makes him the team's heartbeat.
- Ecuador's midfield is ruled by Chelsea's Moisés Caicedo (24). One of the world's premier anchors, his ball-winning and covering dominate the centre, and how far he can stifle Côte d'Ivoire's attack is a key to the match.
- Ecuador's back line is young and strong. Arsenal's Piero Hincapié (24, a left-footed centre-back) lines up alongside Willian Pacho (24), whose stock has risen at Europe's top clubs — a pairing that blends pace with physical strength.
- On Côte d'Ivoire's right is former Arsenal man Nicolas Pépé (31). His left-footed cut-ins and dribbling remain a threat, and together with quick youngsters like 19-year-old Yan Diomandé (Leganés) he aims to unsettle Ecuador's defence from wide.
- Ecuador's attack is led by 36-year-old captain Enner Valencia, the nation's all-time top scorer with 49 goals. His experience and big-game instinct drive the front line — a contrast of a youthful defence supported by a veteran goalscorer.