Ivory Coast will participate in the 2026 World Cup, marking their first appearance since 2014 [1, 2]. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States [1, 2]. The Ivory Coast squad will compete in a group alongside Curacao, Ecuador, and Germany [1, 2].
Coach Emerse Fae, promoted to head coach around December 2024 after serving as an assistant and having played in the 2006 World Cup himself, expressed high ambitions for the team. He said, "My goal is to go far in this competition with my team. We are not going to the U.S. for a vacation" [1]. He added, "I believe Ivory Coast has the potential to achieve something exceptional. Why not aim for the final?" [2].
Since their last World Cup appearance, Ivory Coast has won two Africa Cup of Nations titles, including a victory on home soil in January 2025 after overcoming challenges such as a mid-tournament coaching change [1, 2].
The squad's key attacking players include teenager Yan Diomande, Simon Adingra, Amad Diallo, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Elye Wahi, and Nicolas Pepe [1, 2]. Midfield leadership rests with captain Frank Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare [1, 2]. Defender Ousmane Diomande, who has attracted interest from Premier League clubs, also plays a vital role [1, 2].
Coach Fae’s appointment as head coach took place approximately 30 months ago, following a stint as assistant coach and a career as a former international player [1, 2]. On June 1, 2026, he publicly stated his ambition for the World Cup campaign [1, 2].
The team now focuses on preparations for the tournament set to begin in mid-2026, aiming to build on their recent continental success and progress through a challenging group stage.
