Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterIvory Coast and Ecuador enter the tournament with a head-to-head meeting in group E on Sunday evening.The game is set to kick off at 7pm local time (midnight UK time) on the evening of Sunday, June 14 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.However, there has been a change of plans from FIFA for this one after the original referee, Michael Oliver, withdrew from officiating the game.The referee for Ivory Coast vs Ecuador at World Cup 2026Premier League referee Oliver withdrew from the game earlier this week through injury - meaning his linesmen will also set this one out, coming as they do as a united.FIFA have indicated that the Englishman is set to be available for selection 'in the coming days' and is expected to remain in North America for the other games ahead. You may like How to watch Ivory Coast vs Ecuador for FREE Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 squad: Emerse Fae's final selection Who is the referee for Qatar vs Switzerland? That means that France's Francois Letexier will step up to take the whistle for Ivory Coast vs Ecuador instead.Pat-time court bailiff Letexier is no stranger to high-profile games. He was in charge of the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain - the youngest referee ever to officiate a Euros final, then 35 - and his last competitive outing coming in Aston Villa's Europa League final victory over Freiburg.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The Ligue Un referee will be supported by Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni.Khalid Al-Turais will act as fourth official, with fellow Saudi Mohammed Al-Bakry as the reserve assistant referee.Another Premier League referee, Australian Jarred Gillett, will however be in the VAR booth, alongside France's Willy Delajod and Belgium's Bram Van Driessche.Both sides will be especially keen to get the win in this game having seen what ruthless Germany did to Curacao in the first Group E game earlier in the day.The two sides are separated by just nine places in the FIFA World Rankings, with Ecuador in 24th and the Ivory Coast in 33rd.TOPICSEcuadorIvory CoastWorld CupWorld Cup 2026Steven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
