Nes Zealand vs. Ivory Coast Tips and Odds – 08/06/2025

• Fixture: New Zealand vs Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
• Date: Saturday, 7 June 2025
• Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

Match Preview

The stage is set at BMO Field in Toronto for an intriguing international friendly as New Zealand, fresh from World Cup qualification, take on African champions Ivory Coast in the Canadian Shield tournament. This match is more than just a warm-up; it offers both teams a taste of tournament football in a 2026 World Cup host city, with the added twist that all matches in this mini-tournament will go to penalties if level after 90 minutes. For New Zealand, this is a valuable opportunity to test themselves against higher-ranked opposition, while Ivory Coast will look to assert their continental pedigree on North American soil.

New Zealand, known as the All Whites, have enjoyed a successful run in Oceania, booking their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a convincing 3-0 win over New Caledonia in March. Their recent form has been solid, with the team showing defensive resilience and clinical finishing in key qualifiers. Head coach Darren Bazeley has focused on building a squad capable of competing on the global stage, and this fixture is part of a deliberate strategy to expose his players to tougher, more diverse opponents ahead of next year’s tournament. The All Whites are expected to field a strong lineup, but their challenge will be coping with the pace and technical ability of the Ivorians.

Ivory Coast, managed by Emerse Faé, come into this clash riding high after a narrow 1-0 win over Gambia in their latest World Cup qualifier, which kept them atop Group F in African qualifying. The Elephants are brimming with confidence following their recent Africa Cup of Nations triumph and have a squad packed with European-based talent. Their recent results have been impressive, with the team showing both attacking flair and defensive discipline. However, the long travel and unfamiliar conditions in Toronto could pose a challenge, and Faé may use this friendly to rotate his squad and assess fringe players ahead of more crucial qualifiers.

In terms of absentees, New Zealand are expected to be close to full strength, with no major injury concerns reported ahead of the match. For Ivory Coast, there are no significant suspensions, but there may be minor injury doubts for a few squad members—though nothing that is expected to seriously impact their starting XI. Both teams are likely to use their full complement of substitutions, especially with the possibility of penalties looming if the match ends level after 90 minutes.

Key Players

• New Zealand: Chris Wood remains the focal point of the All Whites’ attack, offering experience and a physical presence up front. Liberato Cacace provides energy and quality from left-back, while Sarpreet Singh’s creativity in midfield will be crucial if New Zealand are to unlock the Ivorian defense.
• Ivory Coast: Sébastien Haller is the main goal threat, supported by the dynamic Wilfried Zaha and the versatile Franck Kessié in midfield. Defensively, Serge Aurier brings leadership and experience, while Simon Adingra’s pace on the wing could trouble the New Zealand backline.

Prediction

Ivory Coast enter the match as clear favorites, given their recent form, squad depth, and higher FIFA ranking. However, New Zealand’s organization and determination, coupled with the neutral venue, could keep the contest closer than expected. Expect Ivory Coast to control possession and create more chances, but New Zealand’s set-piece threat and defensive discipline may frustrate the African champions for long spells. Ultimately, Ivory Coast’s superior quality should see them edge a competitive, low-scoring encounter, possibly by a single goal margin.

Predicted Score: New Zealand 0-1 Ivory Coast

Betting Markets & Odds

Odds are indicative and based on market averages as of early June 2025. Please check the provided link for the latest prices and availability.

This friendly promises to be a fascinating clash of styles and a valuable test for both teams as they build towards major tournaments in 2026.