Ivory Coast selected teenage forward Yan Diomande to start alongside experienced Nicolas Pepe in their Group E World Cup match versus Ecuador on June 14, 2026 [1, 2]. Diomande earned the starting spot after a strong season with RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga [1, 2].
Midfielder Franck Kessie will captain Ivory Coast, while Manchester United forward Amad Diallo starts on the bench [1, 2]. The Ivory Coast starting lineup includes Yahia Fofana, Ghislain Konan, Wilfried Singo, Guela Doue, Emmanuel Agbadou, Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, Yan Diomande, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pepe, and Bazoumana Toure [1, 2].
Ecuador will start veteran forward Enner Valencia, who leads an experienced lineup featuring Hernan Galindez in goal and a defense structured around a back three of Piero Hincapie, Joel Ordonez, and Willian Pacho [1, 2]. Other starters for Ecuador include Alan Minda, Pedro Vite, Alan Franco, Moises Caicedo, John Yeboah, Enner Valencia, and Gonzalo Plata [1, 2].
Ecuador finished second in South American qualifying for the tournament and conceded only 5 goals in 18 World Cup qualifiers, underscoring their defensive strength [1, 2]. The back three of Hincapie, Ordonez, and Pacho are key to Ecuador’s compact defense [1, 2].
The Group E encounter brings together a youthful Ivory Coast attack led by Diomande and Pepe against an experienced Ecuador side anchored defensively and guided by veteran striker Valencia [1, 2]. The match will test Ivory Coast’s attacking talent against Ecuador’s disciplined defending.
Ivory Coast aims to start their World Cup campaign strongly with the lineups confirmed ahead of the June 14 kickoff [1, 2].