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Ivory Coast Beats Curaçao 2-0, Secures Knockout Spot

6/26/2026

Summary

Ivory Coast Advances

Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 on June 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, earning its first World Cup knockout berth.
Nicolas Pépé scored in the seventh and 64th minutes, with Yan Diomande assisting the first and Ibrahim Sangaré the second.
The win left Ivory Coast second in Group E with six points and set a Tuesday clash with the Group I runner-up in Arlington.
Curaçao, population 158,000, finished bottom of the group, becoming the tournament’s smallest qualifier.

Summary

Wahi Arrested

Elye Wahi was arrested in France on May 29, 2026 for a betting investigation.
Ligue 1 reported that a surge in bets that Wahi would get a yellow card in Nice’s May 17, 2026 match versus Metz prompted police action.
Goalkeeper Eloy Room made 15 saves against Ecuador, one shy of Tim Howard’s 2014 record of 16.
U.S. entry restrictions under President Donald Trump barred Ivory Coast fans from traveling to Philadelphia for the match.

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Ivory Coast Advances

Ivory Coast beat Curaçao 2-0 on June 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, earning its first World Cup knockout berth.
Nicolas Pépé scored in the seventh and 64th minutes, with Yan Diomande assisting the first and Ibrahim Sangaré the second.
The win left Ivory Coast second in Group E with six points and set a Tuesday clash with the Group I runner-up in Arlington.
Curaçao, population 158,000, finished bottom of the group, becoming the tournament’s smallest qualifier.

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