FIFA has confirmed the Ivory Coast vs Ecuador lineups for Match 9 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E schedule. The match is being played at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Ivory Coast have started Elye Wahi through the middle and left Amad Diallo on the bench, while Ecuador have gone with a back three and kept Pervis Estupinan among the substitutes.
The final team sheets settle the biggest late selection calls before kickoff. Franck Kessie captains Ivory Coast from midfield, Enner Valencia starts and captains Ecuador, and Sebastian Beccacece has trusted Alan Minda and John Yeboah around the front line rather than opening with a more conservative shape.
Ivory Coast Confirmed Lineup
Ivory Coast have confirmed a 4-2-3-1, with Yahia Fofana in goal and Franck Kessie captaining the side from midfield. Emerse Fae has used Wilfried Singo next to Emmanuel Agbadou in central defence, then backed Elye Wahi as the central striker with Yan Diomande, Nicolas Pepe, and Bazoumana Toure around him.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Yahia Fofana |
| RB | Guela Doue |
| CB | Emmanuel Agbadou |
| CB | Wilfried Singo |
| LB | Ghislain Konan |
| CM | Franck Kessie |
| CM | Seko Fofana |
| RW | Yan Diomande |
| AM | Nicolas Pepe |
| LW | Bazoumana Toure |
| ST | Elye Wahi |
Formation: 4-2-3-1.
Substitutes: Mohamed Kone, Alban Lafont, Ousmane Diomande, Odilon Kossounou, Christopher Operi, Evan Ndicka, Jean Michael Seri, Ibrahim Sangare, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulai, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Simon Adingra, Oumar Diakite, Amad Diallo, Evann Guessand.
This confirmed Ivory Coast squad keeps Kessie and Seko Fofana as the main control pair and saves several game-changing attackers for later. Diallo, Guessand, Adingra, and Sangare give Fae enough second-half options if he wants more dribbling, more direct running, or a stronger midfield screen.
The biggest official calls are Wahi starting through the middle and Diallo waiting on the bench. Singo also moves into the starting back line, which gives Ivory Coast more recovery speed in the central channel.
Ecuador Confirmed Lineup
Ecuador have confirmed a 3-4-3, with Hernan Galindez in goal and Enner Valencia captaining the side from the front line. Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, and Piero Hincapie form the back three, while Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, and Pedro Vite support a front unit that also includes John Yeboah and Gonzalo Plata.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Hernan Galindez |
| CB | Joel Ordonez |
| CB | Willian Pacho |
| CB | Piero Hincapie |
| RWB | Alan Minda |
| CM | Moises Caicedo |
| CM | Alan Franco |
| CM | Pedro Vite |
| RW | John Yeboah |
| ST | Enner Valencia |
| LW | Gonzalo Plata |
Formation: 3-4-3.
Substitutes: Moises Ramirez, Gonzalo Valle, Felix Torres, Pervis Estupinan, Angelo Preciado, Jackson Porozo, Yaimar Medina, Jordy Alcivar, Anthony Valencia, Kendry Paez, Denil Castillo, Kevin Rodriguez, Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo, Jeremy Arevalo.
This confirmed Ecuador squad leans on the same defensive spine that has carried the side through its unbeaten run, while still leaving experienced full-back and midfield options in reserve. Estupinan, Preciado, Paez, and Kevin Rodriguez give Beccacece enough flexibility if he wants to change width, tempo, or the final-third threat after halftime.
The biggest official call is Ecuador opening with a back three and leaving Estupinan on the bench. Alan Minda and Alan Franco also start, which gives the team more running power around Caicedo and Vite from the first whistle.
Team News and Injury Report
The official FIFA lineups clear up Ivory Coast's main pre-match questions before kickoff. Ndicka is available on the bench, Wahi gets the central striking role, and Fae has left Diallo, Guessand, and Adingra as attacking change options.
Ecuador's team sheet answers the other major talking points. Valencia starts and captains the side, Beccacece has moved to a back three, and Estupinan begins among the substitutes instead of in the opening XI.
Latest lineup notes: Kessie captains Ivory Coast, Valencia captains Ecuador, Diallo starts on the bench, and Ecuador have chosen a more compact defensive shape than most late projections expected.
| Player | Team | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evan Ndicka | Ivory Coast | On bench | Included among the official FIFA substitutes |
| Amad Diallo | Ivory Coast | On bench | Available but not selected in the starting lineup |
| Enner Valencia | Ecuador | Starts | Selected in the official FIFA XI and named team captain |
| Pervis Estupinan | Ecuador | On bench | Named among the official FIFA substitutes |
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — Key Tactical Battle
The clearest battle sits between Ivory Coast's front four and Ecuador's three-man back line. Wahi, Pepe, Diomande, and Toure want to attack the spaces outside Pacho and Hincapie, while Caicedo and Franco need to protect the first pass before those runs start turning into isolated duels.
The other key area is Ecuador's transition route through Valencia, Plata, and Yeboah. Ivory Coast should carry more raw dribbling from the start, yet Ecuador can still flip the game quickly if Caicedo and Vite move the first ball cleanly into the front three.
| Role | Ivory Coast | Ecuador |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up control | Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Nicolas Pepe | Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, Pedro Vite |
| Wide pressure | Yan Diomande and Bazoumana Toure driving at the back three | John Yeboah and Gonzalo Plata breaking around Enner Valencia |
| Front line | Elye Wahi | Enner Valencia |
The confirmed lineups point toward a match shaped by central control and quick changes of direction. Bench names such as Diallo, Guessand, Adingra, Estupinan, Paez, and Kevin Rodriguez could still shift the rhythm once the first phase settles.
Match Details
| Key Info | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
| Kickoff Time | 7:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM UTC |
| Venue | Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia |
| Stage | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage |
| Referee | François Letexier |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Ivory Coast vs Ecuador lineups and starting 11?
Ivory Coast start with Yahia Fofana, Guela Doue, Emmanuel Agbadou, Wilfried Singo, Ghislain Konan, Franck Kessie, Seko Fofana, Yan Diomande, Nicolas Pepe, Bazoumana Toure, and Elye Wahi. Ecuador start with Hernan Galindez, Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Piero Hincapie, Alan Minda, Moises Caicedo, Alan Franco, Pedro Vite, John Yeboah, Enner Valencia, and Gonzalo Plata.
Does Amad Diallo start for Ivory Coast against Ecuador?
No. Amad Diallo is available on the bench, but FIFA's official team sheet lists Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pepe, Yan Diomande, and Bazoumana Toure in the opening attacking unit.
When does Ivory Coast vs Ecuador start?
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador starts at 7:00 PM ET on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The match will be played at Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia.
What formation will Ecuador use against Ivory Coast?
Ecuador are listed here in a 3-4-3, with Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, and Piero Hincapie across the back line and Enner Valencia leading the front three.
The Ivory Coast vs Ecuador confirmed lineups now show the exact starting 11, benches, and main selection calls before kickoff in Philadelphia.
Ivory Coast have kept several headline attackers in reserve, while Ecuador have surprised with a back-three setup and an important full-back left on the bench.
Read Also: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage Preview and Prediction
Want to say Something?