Côte d’Ivoire are preparing for their fourth FIFA World Cup appearance and their first since Brazil 2014.
Les Éléphants return to the global stage after a 12-year absence, carrying fresh confidence after winning the CAF Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024.
Now, under Emerse Fae, the Ivorians will aim to achieve what has always escaped them at the World Cup: a place in the knockout stage.
Emerse Fae took charge of Côte d’Ivoire in January 2024 after Jean-Louis Gasset was dismissed during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Initially appointed on an interim basis, Fae quickly became a national hero by guiding the team to AFCON glory.
His side defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final, completing one of the most dramatic coaching turnarounds in African football.
Since then, Fae has continued to impress, leading Côte d’Ivoire through World Cup qualifying unbeaten and without conceding a single goal.
Côte d’Ivoire secured their place at FIFA World Cup 2026™ by defeating Kenya 3-0 in the final round of African qualifiers.
Les Éléphants topped Group F after a fierce battle with Gabon and completed the campaign unbeaten.
Most impressively, Fae’s side did not concede a single goal across ten qualifying matches.
Seko Fofana finished as the team’s top scorer in qualifying with three goals, while several attacking players also contributed important goals.
Côte d’Ivoire last appeared at the World Cup in Brazil 2014.
They opened with a strong 2-1 victory over Japan, with Wilfried Bony and Gervinho both scoring.
However, a defeat to Colombia left them needing only a draw against Greece to reach the Round of 16.
Just when qualification looked within reach, Greece scored a 93rd-minute penalty to eliminate Les Éléphants in heartbreaking fashion.
Côte d’Ivoire made their FIFA World Cup debut at Germany 2006.
Drawn into a very difficult group with Argentina and the Netherlands, the Ivorians faced a tough introduction to the global stage.
They lost narrowly to Argentina and the Netherlands by the same 2-1 scoreline, but Didier Drogba made history by scoring the nation’s first World Cup goal.
In their final match, Côte d’Ivoire came from two goals down to defeat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2, earning their first-ever World Cup victory.
One of Côte d’Ivoire’s strongest World Cup moments came at South Africa 2010.
In the first World Cup held on African soil, Les Éléphants held Portugal to a 0-0 draw before later defeating Korea DPR 3-0.
Despite collecting four points in a difficult group, they still missed out on the knockout stage.
That campaign remains a reminder of both their quality and the fine margins of World Cup football.
Didier Drogba, Aruna Dindane, Wilfried Bony and Gervinho share Côte d’Ivoire’s World Cup scoring record with two goals each.
Drogba’s goal against Argentina in 2006 remains especially historic, as it was the country’s first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup.
Yaya Toure holds Côte d’Ivoire’s record for most World Cup appearances.
The legendary midfielder played in all nine of the nation’s World Cup matches across the 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
His consistency and leadership made him one of the most important figures in Ivorian football history.
With AFCON-winning confidence, a strong defensive record and a talented squad, Côte d’Ivoire arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026™ with serious belief.
Les Éléphants have waited years for a knockout-stage breakthrough — and this new generation will aim to finally deliver it.
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