Côte d’Ivoire into World Cup knockouts for first time as Pépé finishes off Curaçao
Côte d’Ivoire qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time following a 2-0 win over Curaçao, with Nicolas Pépé scoring both goals. The victory marks a historic milestone for the young Ivorian team in the 2026 tournament.
Why it matters
The result highlights the impact of the expanded 48-team World Cup format in providing opportunities for emerging football nations to achieve historic success.
Nicolas Pépé flicks home his first goal to set up Côte d’Ivoire’s victory and place in the last 32. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters View image in fullscreen Nicolas Pépé flicks home his first goal to set up Côte d’Ivoire’s victory and place in the last 32. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters World Cup 2026 Côte d’Ivoire into World Cup knockouts for first time as Pépé finishes off Curaçao Leander Schaerlaeckens at Philadelphia Stadium Thu 25 Jun 2026 18.20 EDT Last modified on Fri 26 Jun 2026 00.30 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google Côte d’Ivoire surviving the World Cup group stage for the first time, in the year of our football gods 2026, is one of those titbits that sounds like it shouldn’t be true, and yet here we are. An underwhelming 2-0 victory over Curaçao , courtesy of Nicolas Pépé’s double, put the Ivorians through to the last 32 as Group E runners-up.
The article is a factual sports report focusing on match results and team history.
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