Ivory Coast reach first-ever World Cup knockout stage after Pépé double sinks Curaçao

Ivory Coast made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, securing a place in the knockout stage for the first time ever with a controlled victory over Curaçao in Philadelphia. Nicolas Pépé opened the scoring in the seventh minute and added a second later in the game to seal second place in Group E.

Ivory Coast will be a tough out

Les Éléphants have shown across three group-stage matches that they are no pushover. They snatched a late winner against Ecuador in their opener, held their own against Germany — even scoring first in the 30th minute and claiming 40% of possession — and then dominated Curaçao from the first whistle. The squad is stacked with European club talent: striker Ange-Yoan Bonny plays for Inter Milan, winger Amad Diallo for Manchester United, and midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré is a regular in the Premier League with Nottingham Forest. Veteran Franck Kessié provides experience in midfield, while 19-year-old Yan Diomandé has been the creative spark throughout.

A date with France or Norway awaits

Finishing second in Group E means Ivory Coast will face the runner-up from Group I — either France or Norway. Both sides entered Friday’s fixture level on six points, though France’s superior goal difference means Norway must beat them to top the group. Whichever opponent Ivory Coast draw, they will be underdogs: France boast some of the tournament’s finest individual talent, while Erling Haaland anchors a Norway attack that ranks among the most dangerous in the competition.

Diomandé’s transfer value keeps climbing

The RB Leipzig winger has been one of the standout young players of the group stage, and his performance against Curaçao did nothing to dampen the reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. Diomandé created Pépé’s opener by winning possession inside Curaçao’s own penalty area and laying the ball on a plate for his teammate. His ability to conjure chances from nothing will be critical in the knockout rounds, where opportunities are likely to be scarcer.

A historic moment for Ivory Coast

Qualifying for the last 16 represents a landmark achievement for a nation that has long been one of Africa’s most celebrated footballing countries without ever previously advancing beyond the group stage at a World Cup. The squad’s blend of experienced internationals and emerging European-based talent suggests this run may not end in the round of 16.