All you need to know ahead of intriguing Group E showdown at Philadelphia Stadium.
Group E
Monday, 15 June | Philadelphia Stadium
Kick-off time
07:00 (GMT+8)
The match
Ivory Coast and Ecuador will face off for first time ever in this Group E showdown. La Tri were exceptional in South American qualifying, finishing second behind Argentina in the standings. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, banked a direct ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ by edging out Gabon their qualification group.
Ivory Coast possible starting XI
Fofana; Konan, Kossounou, Agbadou, Doue; Kessie, Sangare, Fofana; Inao Oulai, Diomande; Guessand
Ecuador possible starting XI
Galindez; Franco, Ordonez, Pacho, Hincapie; Caicedo, Vite, Yeboah; Plata, Valencia, Angulo
Philadelphia Stadium
Philadelphia Stadium opened with a blockbuster friendly match between Manchester United against Barcelona in August 2003, with Ronaldinho setting up Patrick Kluivert to score the arena’s first goal.
It would go on to house US national team games, the 2015 Gold Cup Final and Manchester United again in the years since, as well as becoming the permanent residence of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and the temporary home of MLS team Philadelphia Union during the 2010 season.
The venue was the setting for a total of eight fixtures during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, with six group games, one Round of 16 fixture and eventual winners Chelsea’s quarter-final victory over Palmeiras, which was also played on 4 July.