After a dozen years in the wilderness, Côte d'Ivoire will grace the World Cup stage once more, determined to make up for lost time. The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions, who triumphed on home soil in dramatic fashion, enter the 2026 tournament with a blend of defensive grit and attacking flair. Emerse Faé, the man who masterminded that AFCON victory after taking over mid-tournament, now leads Les Éléphants into their first global finals since Brazil 2014. His journey from assistant to head coach has been nothing short of remarkable, and the 42-year-old is not content merely to participate. "I'm not going to the United States for a holiday," Faé stated, underlining his competitive fire. "My objective is to go as far as possible. Why not win it?"
Faé's philosophy is built on defensive solidity, a trait that served Côte d'Ivoire impeccably during qualification. They did not concede a single goal across 10 matches, a testament to their organisational discipline. The backline, which occasionally shifts into a three-man system, is anchored by Roma's Evan N'Dicka. His partnerships with Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta and Reims' Emmanuel Agbadou provide both physicality and composure. This defensive foundation gives the team license to rely on swift counterattacks, utilising the pace and creativity of their wingers.
In midfield, however, a key question looms. The holding role, previously occupied by the experienced Jean Michaël Seri, is up for grabs. Seri, now 34, has struggled to regain his best form after spending a year sidelined with a serious ankle injury. In his stead, Nottingham Forest's Ibrahim Sangaré is expected to step into the breach, tasked with shielding the defence and initiating transitions. Alongside him, the indomitable Franck Kessié remains the heartbeat of the side. The 29-year-old captain, who left Barcelona for Saudi club Al-Ahli in 2023, does the dirty work that allows others to shine. Having won back-to-back AFC Champions League titles and being named the competition's best player, Kessié's underrated influence is vital to Faé's system.
The attacking unit is rich with options, but perhaps none is more in-form than Nicolas Pépé. The former Arsenal winger has rediscovered his best self at Villarreal, racking up eight goals and eight assists in La Liga and earning a player-of-the-season nomination. Pépé, who excels cutting inside from the right, admitted this is likely his first and last World Cup. "I'm 30 now and I don't see myself staying with the national team until 34 to play at the next World Cup," he said. His dribbling, shooting, and experience will be crucial, especially in the absence of a classic number nine like Didier Drogba. Instead, Evann Guessand and others like Amad Diallo and Yan Diomandé provide versatility and depth.
One emerging talent to monitor is Christ Inao, the 19-year-old midfield dynamo who broke through at Trabzonspor this season. After earning his first cap in November, Inao forced his way into the starting lineup during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. His risk-taking style and energy offer a different dimension, and a strong World Cup could see his transfer value skyrocket.
The expectations from the top are unambiguous. Federation president Yacine Idriss Diallo has set a clear target: "The fixed objective is to play at least six games, which is the quarter-finals." That would surpass their previous best World Cup showing, a group-stage exit in 2006 and 2010. Faé, a former midfielder who played in the 2006 tournament, understands the magnitude of the challenge but embraces it. Their path to the knockout rounds will not be easy. Drawn in a group with Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao, the Ivorians open in Philadelphia on 14 June against an Ecuador side eager to prove themselves. A heavyweight clash with Germany in Toronto on 20 June follows, before returning to Philadelphia to face Curaçao on 25 June.
Off the pitch, logistical hurdles have tempered the enthusiasm for traveling support. Strict U.S. visa requirements initially deterred many Ivorian fans. Although the Trump administration announced in May that citizens of Côte d'Ivoire with valid match tickets would be exempt from a $15,000 visa deposit, the decision came far too late for most. Consequently, the onus will fall on the Ivorian diaspora in North America to generate an atmosphere. Their distinctive orange kits and flag, reminiscent of Ireland, will be visible, and the supporters' traditions of song, dance, and humour promise to add colour.
A notable subplot is the political context: Côte d'Ivoire was among nations affected by cuts to USAID under the Trump administration, with bilateral health aid deals renegotiated instead. Neither the federation nor the players have publicly commented on host-nation politics or ticket pricing, focusing solely on football. Yet, the World Cup represents a moment of national pride and unity, a chance to relive the golden memories of the early 2010s when stars like Yaya Touré and Didier Drogba graced the global stage.
For Faé, this is also a personal redemption story. Sacked mid-tournament as assistant before being handed the reins, he turned a potential disaster into an improbable title win. His calm demeanour and tactical acumen will be tested on the biggest stage. With a squad blending seasoned campaigners and fearless youth, Côte d'Ivoire have the tools to surprise. Whether they can translate their continental success to the world level remains the ultimate question. Based on reporting from The Guardian.