Côte d'Ivoire battles Ecuador in World Cup 2026 opener

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 9:00 PM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Côte d'Ivoire battles Ecuador in World Cup 2026 opener

Summary

Côte d'Ivoire faces Ecuador in the World Cup 2026 opening match set for 7 PM ET on June 14. This marks Côte d'Ivoire's return to the tournament for the first time since 2014, coming off a period of rebuilding and without the star players of previous years. Fans can expect a mix of familiar names from European leagues in Côte d'Ivoire's lineup. The match is ongoing, providing a platform for both teams to make their mark early in the tournament.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport

Status Watch

•Match kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM ET on June 14.
•Côte d'Ivoire has not participated in the World Cup since 2014.
•The current squad includes several players from top European leagues.
•Match is ongoing with significant implications for both teams.

Latest Updates

9:00 PMThe Guardian Sport — Côte d’Ivoire v Ecuador: World Cup 2026 – live

What they're saying

"
⚽️ World Cup kick-off time: 7pm ET/12am BST/9am AEST ⚽️ Player guide | Bracketology | Golden Boot | Contact Beau Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, catch up on what to know about Côte d’Ivoire and Ecuador with our team guides. Côte d’Ivoire return to the world stage for the first time since the golden years of the early 2010s. They do not quite have the star power of old, but their squad is packed with recognisable faces to fans in Europe’s top leagues. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Beau Dure

Related Teams & Leagues

Soccer