Ivory Coast and Ecuador will be clashing for Matchday 1 of Group E, with Francois Letexier assigned as the referee for the 2026 World Cup match. Ivory Coast and Ecuador meet in what promises to be a compelling Group E opener on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, now rebranded as Philadelphia Stadium. Francois Letexier has been assigned as the referee for the 2026 World Cup clash. At 37, Letexier arrives at his first World Cup with an impressive résumé of high-stakes assignments already to his name. Among the most significant are the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final and the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England, two of the biggest occasions in European football in recent memory. Having officiated across the UEFA World Cup qualifying campaign and Euro 2024, this will be the first time Letexier has refereed a match involving either the Ecuador or Ivory Coast national teams. Throughout his career, Letexier has been recognized for his authority and composure in managing high-pressure games. According to Transfermarkt, across 400 matches, the French official has issued 1,505 yellow cards, 69 straight red cards and awarded 135 penalties. Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, is shown a red card by referee Francois Letexier. One of his most scrutinized moments came during the 2025-26 Champions League, when Vinicius Junior accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse during a Real Madrid match. After activating the appropriate protocol and reviewing the situation, Letexier ultimately chose not to issue a red card to Prestianni on the night, a decision that generated significant controversy. Letexier will be assisted by fellow French officials Cyril Mugnier as first assistant and Mehdi Rahmouni as second assistant, with Saudi Arabian Khalid Al Turais serving as the fourth official. In the VAR booth, Englishman Jarred Gillett will lead the video review team, supported by Willy Delajod of France as AVAR 1 and Bram van Driessche of Belgium as AVAR 2. A last-minute referee change Michael Oliver, the experienced English Premier League referee, had originally been assigned to officiate the match alongside his usual assistants Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring. On Friday, however, FIFA confirmed that Oliver had been ruled out due to a minor injury, with Letexier stepping in as his replacement. Oliver had previously officiated at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his most high-profile assignment was the quarterfinal between Croatia and Brazil. While he will miss the Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador match, FIFA indicated that the English referee is expected to be available for selection again in the coming days.
Full preview of Haiti for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. Haiti returns to the international stage this summer as one of the most compelling stories of the tournament. Currently ranked 83rd globally, the national team has ended a 52-year absence, marking their first appearance at this level since 1974. Drawn into a challenging group alongside Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland, expectations are grounded in reality for the clear underdogs. However, a resilient defensive structure and an impressive qualification campaign provide genuine hope for earning the nation’s first-ever points on this stage. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down the tactical approach, highlights key personnel, and examines the Haiti 2026 World Cup squad depth that will define their North American journey. Team profile CoachSébastien MignéCaptainJohny PlacideNicknameLes Grenadiers, Le Rouge et BleuFIFA ranking83rdConfederationCONCACAFGroupGroup CBest World Cup resultGroup stage (1974)World Cup appearances2Last World Cup appearance1974 How Haiti play Sébastien Migné has built a tactical identity rooted in defensive resilience and structural discipline. Operating primarily in a deep defensive block, the team prioritizes staying compact and frustrating opponents. This approach proved highly effective during qualification, where they conceded just six goals across six matches in the final round. In possession, the squad relies heavily on quick transitions rather than sustained build-up play. Their defensive setup allows them to absorb pressure, but it often leaves them isolated in the attacking third. During the qualifying campaign, the team created opportunities but struggled with final-third efficiency, missing 16 big chances overall. Opponents will likely target their transitional vulnerabilities and attempt to break down the low block with sustained wide overloads. This Haiti tactical analysis reveals a team prioritizing defensive solidity over an expansive Haiti formation. Sébastien Migné: The coach behind Haiti Sébastien Migné took charge of the national team in June 2024 and successfully guided the program to its second-ever appearance at the global showpiece. Remarkably, the French manager has led the squad without ever stepping foot in the country due to ongoing domestic conflicts, relying entirely on neutral venues. Before taking this role, the Haiti coach built his resume across Africa, managing Congo, Kenya, and Equatorial Guinea. His leadership style emphasizes collective organization and mental toughness, traits that have quickly resonated with his current roster. Under his guidance, the team has lost just four of 15 competitive fixtures. Migné is widely respected for maximizing the resources available to him. His ability to foster unity and maintain focus amid external challenges will heavily influence how the squad handles the pressure of the tournament. Key player: Wilson Isidor Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor stands out as the primary attacking focal point among Haiti key players. After committing to the national team in March, the forward immediately made an impact, scoring in his second international appearance against Iceland. Isidor enters the summer following a productive debut campaign in the English top flight, where he netted six goals across 34 appearances. He consistently ranks in the top 20% of Premier League strikers for both shots and shots on target per 90 minutes. His tendency to play on the shoulder of the last defender makes him a constant transitional threat. Beyond his finishing, Isidor provides an exceptional work rate off the ball. If he suffers an injury, the team would lose its most reliable outlet for relieving pressure. Haiti’s road to the 2026 World Cup The qualification campaign highlighted a team capable of overcoming adversity. Entering the second round of CONCACAF qualifying, they finished second in their group before dominating the third roun
As Brazil prepares to begin its pursuit of a record sixth World Cup title, one of the biggest talking points surrounding Carlo Ancelotti's squad is the absence of Joao Pedro. The Chelsea forward enjoyed an outstanding club season and appeared to be firmly in contention for a place on the plane to North America, making his omission one of the most surprising decisions ahead of the tournament. As Brazil prepares to begin its pursuit of a record sixth World Cup title, one of the biggest talking points surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is the absence of Joao Pedro. The Chelsea forward enjoyed an outstanding club season and appeared to be firmly in contention for a place on the plane to North America, making his omission one of the most surprising decisions ahead of the tournament. The Brazilian national team enters the World Cup carrying huge expectations once again. With stars such as Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Endrick included in the squad, attention has inevitably turned to the talented players left behind, with Joao Pedro becoming the most notable name missing from the final roster. Brazil remains the most successful national team in World Cup history, having lifted the trophy five times in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. The nation has qualified for every edition of the tournament and continues to be viewed as one of the favorites whenever the competition begins. This year’s campaign carries additional intrigue because it marks the first World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti. The legendary Italian became the first foreign coach to lead Brazil at a World Cup after taking charge in 2025. 23 MILHÕES! 🇧🇷Somos a maior Seleção do mundo também no Instagram.Obrigado a cada torcedor que acompanha, vibra, comenta, compartilha e carrega a paixão pelo Brasil para todos os cantos do planeta.Essa conquista é nossa. Seguimos juntos, dentro e fora de campo.#BateNoPeito… pic.twitter.com/WZHPfnxIGk— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) June 9, 2026 Ancelotti inherited a squad packed with attacking talent but also faced several difficult selection decisions. Among the most debated was whether Joao Pedro had done enough to earn a place after an excellent season in England. Why Joao Pedro was left out The reason behind Joao Pedro’s absence ultimately came down to Ancelotti’s preference for experience, tactical balance, and specific player profiles within his 26-man squad. Despite the forward’s impressive performances for Chelsea, Ancelotti felt other players offered characteristics better suited to tournament soccer. The coach later admitted that the decision was not easy: “There are the individual characteristics of the players. Obviously, we were sad for João Pedro, because for the season he had in Europe, he probably deserved to be on this list.” Ancelotti also recognized Joao Pedro’s strong campaign but believed alternative options would provide greater balance across the squad: “Unfortunately, with all possible awareness, with all possible respect and with all possible competence, we chose other players. We are sorry for João Pedro.” Joao Pedro of Brazil. Outstanding season was not enough Joao Pedro’s omission became even more surprising because of what he achieved at club level. After joining Chelsea, the striker enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career. The 24-year-old scored 20 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective attackers. Many observers expected those performances to guarantee him a place at the World Cup. He had also remained involved with Brazil’s recent squads and appeared to be building a strong case for selection. Instead, Ancelotti chose to place his trust in a mixture of experienced veterans and emerging talents. Players such as Igor Thiago, Endrick, and Rayan were selected, while Joao Pedro, Gabriel Jesus, and Richarlison were left out. Neymar’s inclusion also changed the picture Another major factor in the final squad construction was Neymar’s inc
