Egypt vs Ivory Coast prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 10 January 2026
One of the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will take place on Saturday at the Ardar Stadium in Agadir, as Egypt faces off against Ivory Coast. Here’s a look at the best bet for this clash, with solid chances for success.
Match preview
Egypt may have reached the quarterfinals, but their campaign so far has been far from convincing. In every match of the tournament, Hossam Hassan’s side has faced serious challenges - starting with a lackluster opener against Zimbabwe and culminating in an exhausting playoff against Benin, where victory only came in extra time. The Pharaohs show plenty of grit, but they lack a cohesive game plan and are clearly suffering from a shallow bench.
To make matters worse, Egypt will be seriously weakened for the quarterfinal. Key starters - defensive midfielder Attia, inside forward Trezeguet, and wing-back Hamdi - are all unavailable for various reasons, forcing Hossam Hassan to patch up his lineup once again. The flanks and central midfield, where these absences hit hardest, could become vulnerable zones against the opponent’s rapid attack. Despite their resilience, the squad situation leaves Egypt exposed at this stage of the tournament.
Ivory Coast, on the other hand, are powering through the bracket with growing confidence. Emerse Faé’s men began the tournament with measured group-stage performances, but shifted gears in the knockout round, crushing Burkina Faso 3-0. Young stars like Amad Diallo and Yahi Diomande have injected pace and sharpness into the Elephants’ game - especially Diallo, who has already netted three goals in the tournament.
Before the quarterfinal, Ivory Coast suffered one notable loss: Oulai is suspended, but the experienced Seko Fofana is set to step in. The squad’s depth allows Emerse Faé to rotate his starting lineup without sacrificing quality. The attacking flanks, in particular, look like a potent weapon, where Ivory Coast can exploit Egypt’s weakened sides. All this makes the nominal visitors clear favorites for the tie.
Probable lineups
- Egypt: El-Shenawy, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fathi, Lashin, Fattouh, Ashour, Adel, Hany, Marmoush, Salah
- Ivory Coast: Fofana, Kossounou, N'Dicka, Doué, Konan, Sangaré, Kessié, Fofana, Diallo, Diomande, Guessan
Match facts and head-to-head
- Three of the last five head-to-head meetings between Egypt and Ivory Coast ended in a draw in regular time.
- Both teams have not scored in six of Egypt’s last ten matches and eight of Ivory Coast’s last ten games.
- Egypt have lost just one of their last seven matches against African heavyweights at the Cup of Nations level.
Prediction
Despite their fighting spirit and experience on the big stage, Egypt approach the quarterfinal with a depleted squad and inconsistent form. Ivory Coast boast a stronger structure, a deeper bench, and an attacking line capable of breaking down defenses via the flanks—the opponent’s most vulnerable area. Given current momentum, Ivory Coast look like clear favorites in this matchup.
