Back for the first time since 2014, Côte d’Ivoire is chasing its first-ever knockout-stage appearance
CÔTE D’IVOIRE 🇨🇮
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group E
The Big Picture
Côte d’Ivoire is back at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since Brazil 2014. The Elephants arrive in North America as African champions and with one clear goal: reach the knockout stage for the first time.
After three previous World Cup appearances ended in the group stage, this talented generation wants to deliver the breakthrough the country has been waiting for since its 2006 debut.
Coach
Emerse Faé took charge of Côte d’Ivoire during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and immediately wrote history.
Initially appointed on an interim basis after Jean-Louis Gasset’s departure, Faé led the Elephants to the AFCON title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final. He then guided the national team through an unbeaten World Cup qualification campaign without conceding a single goal.
Group E Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 14 | Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador | Philadelphia Stadium |
| June 20 | Germany vs Côte d’Ivoire | Toronto Stadium |
| June 25 | Curaçao vs Côte d’Ivoire | Philadelphia Stadium |
Road to 2026
Côte d’Ivoire qualified by finishing first in CAF Group F after a tight battle with Gabon.
The Elephants sealed their place with a 3-0 win over Kenya and completed the campaign unbeaten, with zero goals conceded across 10 matches.
World Cup History
- Confederation: CAF
- World Cup appearances: 4
- Best result: Group Stage
- Last appearance: Brazil 2014 – Group Stage
- First appearance: Germany 2006
- All-time World Cup record: 9 matches, 3 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses, 13 goals scored, 14 conceded
The First World Cup
Côte d’Ivoire made its World Cup debut at Germany 2006 in a difficult group featuring Argentina, the Netherlands, and Serbia and Montenegro.
The Elephants lost narrowly to Argentina and the Netherlands, both by 2-1, before earning their first World Cup win with a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Serbia and Montenegro.
The Last World Cup
At Brazil 2014, Côte d’Ivoire came painfully close to reaching the knockout stage.
After beating Japan and losing to Colombia, the Elephants needed only a draw against Greece. But a stoppage-time penalty sent Greece through and ended Ivorian hopes in heartbreaking fashion.
Legendary Players
Didier Drogba remains the symbol of Ivorian football. He scored Côte d’Ivoire’s first-ever World Cup goal against Argentina in 2006 and finished his national-team career as the country’s all-time top scorer.
Yaya Touré holds the Ivorian record for most World Cup appearances, playing nine matches across the 2006, 2010, and 2014 tournaments.
Players to Watch
- Franck Kessié – Midfield leader with power, experience, and composure.
- Seko Fofana – Dynamic midfielder and top scorer in qualifying.
- Simon Adingra – Dangerous winger with pace and creativity.
Greatest World Cup Moments
Côte d’Ivoire’s first World Cup victory came in 2006, when the Elephants came from two goals down to beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2.
Their biggest World Cup win arrived in 2010, with a 3-0 victory over North Korea in South Africa. Despite that result and a draw against Portugal, the Elephants again fell short of the knockout stage.
2026 Expectations
Côte d’Ivoire arrives as African champion, unbeaten in qualifying, and ready to chase the historic knockout-stage breakthrough that has eluded the Elephants for two decades.
IVORY COAST
Goalkeepers
- #1 Yahia Fofana (Çaykur Rizespor, Turkey)
- #2 Ousmane Diomandé Koné (Sporting CP, Portugal)
- #17 Mohamed Koné (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium)
Defenders
- #3 Ghislain Konan (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia)
- #5 Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- #7 Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta, Italy)
- #13 Christopher Operi (Başakşehir, Turkey)
- #16 Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, France)
- #20 Emmanuel Agbadou (Beşiktaş, Turkey)
- #21 Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy)
Midfielders
- #4 Jean Michaël Seri (NK Mabor, Slovenia)
- #6 Seko Fofana (FC Porto, Portugal)
- #8 Franck Kessié (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- #18 Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England)
- #25 Parfait Guiagon (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium)
- #26 Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Forwards
- #9 Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan, Italy)
- #10 Simon Adingra (AS Monaco, France)
- #11 Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig, Germany)
- #12 Elye Wahi (OGC Nice, France)
- #14 Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)
- #15 Amad Diallo (Manchester United, England)
- #19 Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal, Spain)
- #22 Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace, England)
- #23 Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
- #24 Parfait Guiagon (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium)
Head Coach
- Emerse Faé (Ivory Coast)
