This article is part of the 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a collaboration among leading media organizations from the 48 nations that qualified. Daily previews are being published ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on June 11.
Côte d’Ivoire returns to the global stage for the first time since their peak years in the early 2010s. While the team may not possess the same star power as before, it features several familiar names for fans following Europe’s top leagues. Recent winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, the team typically employs a 4-3-3 formation, though uncertainty looms regarding the pivotal holding midfield position. Jean Michaël Seri, a 34-year-old veteran who previously played for Fulham and Hull, has been a mainstay in that role, but his form has suffered after a lengthy ankle injury layoff. Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangaré is expected to fill in effectively.
Emerse Faé, the head coach, emphasizes a strong defensive strategy while leveraging the individual strengths of his wingers during counterattacks. Remarkably, the Elephants did not concede a single goal in their ten qualifying matches. The defense is anchored by Roma’s Evan N’Dicka, who often rotates partners like Atalanta’s Odilon Kossounou and Besiktas’s Emmanuel Agbadou. Franck Kessié, who previously played for Barcelona and Milan, commands the midfield and captains the team. Faé boasts an array of attacking options, including Nicolas Pépé, Amad Diallo, and Yan Diomandé. In the absence of a Didier Drogba-like figure, Evann Guessand might carry a considerable burden.
Having missed the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022, Côte d’Ivoire is eager to capitalize on their return, with high expectations set by the federation’s president. Yacine Idriss Diallo stated, “The fixed objective is to play at least six games, which is the quarter-finals,” He aims to move beyond a disappointing exit in January’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the team was eliminated by Egypt in the quarter-finals. Friendly victories in March, including a 1-0 win over Scotland and a 4-0 triumph against South Korea, have generated optimism.
The Coach
Emerse Faé is determined to make an impact. “I’m not going to the United States for a holiday,” he remarked. “I’m a competitor and my objective is to go as far as possible. Why not win it?” Having joined the coaching staff in 2022 as an assistant to Jean-Louis Gasset, Faé took the reins when Gasset was dismissed mid-tournament during a home Africa Cup of Nations in 2024, leading the team to their third continental victory. Now, at 42, this marks Faé’s initial head coaching role after overseeing youth teams at Nice and Clermont in France. He also brings World Cup experience from playing in the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2006.
Star Player
Nicolas Pépé is set to showcase his talent at the World Cup, arriving in excellent condition to lead Côte d’Ivoire’s attack. The former Arsenal winger, who was nominated for the La Liga player of the season award following a standout campaign with Villarreal that featured eight goals and eight assists, excels in cutting in from the right wing but is also capable of playing as a second striker. His strength lies in his dribbling ability, and he isn’t hesitant to shoot from distance. Pépé missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco due to personal reasons, making this World Cup appearance significant for him, likely his first and last. “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 noted.
One to Watch
Christ Inao stands out as both the present and future of the Ivorian squad. The 19-year-old midfielder, known for his bold playing style, has had a breakout season with Trabzonspor in Turkey. He earned his first cap in November and secured a starting position during the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Following impressive performances in the Super Lig and winning the Turkish Cup, Trabzonspor is keen to profit from any potential transfer of Inao. His standout performances this summer could enhance his market value.
Unsung Hero
Franck Kessié, an international since 2014, remains a crucial yet often overlooked figure in the team. At 29, he has taken on the role of captain while providing essential balance as a box-to-box midfielder. Kessié departed Barcelona for Al-Ahli in 2023, where he has won consecutive AFC Champions League titles, earning accolades as the competition’s best player this past season. A proven winner, Kessié also boasts league titles from both Serie A and La Liga.
Probable Starting XI
Fan Expectations
Due to administrative hurdles, few fans will make the journey to North America for the tournament. It will rely on the existing Ivorian diaspora in the States to generate support, especially during their group match against Germany in Toronto, while the other matches will occur in Philadelphia, where the team is based. Expect to see familiar colors; Côte d’Ivoire’s flag closely resembles Ireland’s, and their kit features the vibrant orange akin to the Netherlands. The fans are known for their lively spirit, incorporating song, dance, and humor into their support.
Political Context
Excitement is palpable across Côte d’Ivoire as the nation returns to the World Cup stage after a 12-year absence. Neither the federation nor the players have commented on the political climate in the host countries, including the United States. The Trump administration had announced in May that Ivorian fans with valid match tickets would be exempt from the $15,000 visa deposit to enter the U.S., although this came too late for many who had considered attending. Côte d’Ivoire was also impacted by the Trump administration’s cuts to USAID, leading to new bilateral public health aid agreements.
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