This 2026 FIFA World Cup is offering almost something for everyone, except maybe Qatar, but stuff them, they got a whole World Cup to themselves last time. But it seems there’s good news stories everywhere, including CONCACAF’s Curacao whose country’s population is smaller than the capacity of most of the stadiums being used this World Cup. So this Curacao vs Ivory Coast Group E match has more to it than you would first have though before it all kicked off. Despite a 7-1 pantsing by Germany in the first game Curacao can still make the knockout stage, a bit unlikely given Ivory Coast’s form in their two games, the Elephants have looked quite good so far and led Germany and made life very hard for them in the last game before losing 2-1. But the chance is there, especially with a record equalling goalkeeper on board. It may only take a goal or a great save to nick this game, and we know one side has half of that covered.

Curacao v Ivory Coast Preview

STATS SUMMARY

RATINGS

The Gurgler’s in-house Ratings system chooses the winner. Using H2H history, World Cup performance history, World Cup qualifying, the last four years of international games, performance against the confederation, and current effort at this World Cup.

Our ratings has this match closer than you’d first think. Still says Curaçao can’t win though.

BARELY INTERESTING STATS

Curacao have never played an African opponent.

Ivory Coast are W1 D1 L2 v CONCACAF opponents. The game against Curacao is their first at a World Cup v CONCACAF.

Ivory Coast are W2 L1 for third group stage games at previous World Cups. The Elephants are yet to make the knockout stage.

Ivory Coast’s loss to Germany was just their third this 2025/26 season. Their record is W11 D2 L3.

MATCH PREDICTION

Curacao 1 Ivory Coast 2

AI MATCH PREDICTION

Since AI is all the rage, and a management buzzword of the highest order, we have decided to dip a few toes into AI pond.

We asked AI to come up with a winner and score based on the following:

• 2026 FIFA World Cup form so far,
• last four years on international matches,
• overall FIFA World Cup history,
• value of the playing squad,
• relative strength of each team’s mascot, military success of country over the past 100 years,
• popularity and sales of each teams playing shirt, strength of fan noise,
• beer consumption.

AI MATCH RESULT AND WHY

Here’s what our AI friend had to say……

Curacao 0 Ivory Coast 3