Ivory Coast defeats Ecuador 1-0 in World Cup opener

Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) opened its Group E campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 1‑0 victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia. The decisive goal came in the 90th minute when substitute Amad Diallo finished a cross, giving the African side three points and putting them level on top of the group alongside Germany, who later beat Curaçao 7‑1.

The match attracted 274 spectators and featured a balanced first half with both teams creating chances but failing to score. Late in the game Ivory Coast replaced several players, and Diallo's late strike broke the deadlock. Ivory Coast will face Germany in Toronto on Saturday, while Ecuador’s next game is against Curaçao in Kansas City.

Key details: goal by Amad Diallo (90'), goalkeeper Yahia Fofana for Ivory Coast, yellow cards to three Ivory Coast players early in the match, and a largely open, offensively minded encounter.