Ivory Coast are back at the World Cup after two tournaments away, and they’ll be looking to make history.
The Ivory Coast teams filled with stars failed to make it past the group stages in their three World Cup appearances between 2006 and 2014. This current crop could write their names in the history books.
Get all the latest Ivory Coast stats as the tournament unfolds plus the latest squad, manager and fixture information for the African side here.
Ivory Coast route to the World Cup
Africa has the hardest World Cup qualification campaign of all the continents. Things have changed slightly thanks to the increased number of spots at the World Cup. But that shouldn’t take away from Ivory Coast’s achievement.
It wasn’t an easy qualifying campaign, with Ivory Coast finishing just one point clear of second-placed Gabon. That was despite Ivory Coast going unbeaten in their 10 games, winning eight and drawing two. Les Elephants also kept clean sheets in all 10 matches, with a four points from two matches against Gabon proving vital.
Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 fixtures
Ivory Coast open up their 2026 World Cup campaign against Ecuador on 14th June in what could be a key battle for second. They then face Germany in their next game on 20th June. Les Elephants close the group on 25th June against Curacao.
READ MORE: Get the latest Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 outright odds here
Ivory Coast key players for World Cup 2026
Ivory Coast top World Cup Golden Boot contender: Bazoumana Touré
- Key stat: Bazoumana Touré has scored two goals in six caps for Ivory Coast.
Despite scoring 25 goals in World Cup qualifying, Ivory Coast did not have a single player net more than twice. Gone are the days of Didier Drogba. But Bazoumana Touré may hope to make his mark through the middle. The Hoffenheim striker has scored two goals in six caps for Ivory Coast, including a strike at the Africa Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast rotated their striker at Afcon, so it’s anyone’s game.
Ivory Coast primary playmaker: Amad Diallo
- Key stat: Amad Diallo created 10 chances for Ivory Coast at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amad Diallo was actually Ivory Coast’s top scorer at Afcon, with three goals. But they’ll want him to be just as involved creatively. The Manchester United winger created 10 chances at the tournament, providing one assist. He was a constant threat from the wings, as he has been for Man Utd. Diallo has averaged 1.87 chances created per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, despite spending a lot of time as a wing-back.
Ivory Coast card magnets & top tacklers: Ibrahim Sangaré
- Key stat: Ibrahim Sangare was booked five times for Nottingham Forest last season
The 28-year-old has averaged 2.6 tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier Legaue this season, always looking to win the ball back. Sangare has been using his experience as a defensive midfielder for the benefit of the team. And he’s been carded five times for Forest this season, conceding an average of 1.3 fouls per 90.
Ivory Coast rising star: Yan Diomande
Yan Diomande is the future of Ivorian football. But he’s also the present. The teenager will be one of the youngest players at the World Cup should he make it — and at the moment it feels like only injury could stop him. Diomande has averaged 0.75 direct goal involvements per 90 in the Bundesliga this season, with 2.09 shots and 2.04 chances created.
STAND-OUT STAT: Ivory Coast scored more goals than any other team in the CAF qualifying section with 25 goals scored in their 10 fixtures.
Ivory Coast set-piece specialists
- Penalties: Vakoun Bayo
- Free kicks: Nicolas Pepe
- Corners: Nicolas Pepe
Ivory Coast tactical analysis and formation
Team stats (average per game from last four matches):
- Corners: 6.25
- Shots on target: 3.75
- Shots on target conceded: 2.75
- Offsides: 1.0
Ivory Coast are pretty set in their 4-3-3 formation, and the team was fairly settled in qualifying too. Ibrahim Sangare sits at the base of the midfield, with Franck Kessie and Christ Inao Oulai either side of him. The latter is just 19 years old and is another tipped for big things. The likes of Wilfried Zaha and Jean Michael Seri now have to settle for appearances from the bench.
19 year old RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande could be one of the break-out players of the tournament after he enjoyed a fine campaign in the Bundesliga. On the opposite flank, former Arsenal man Nicolas Pepe remains first-choice.
Get the latest Ivory Coast World Cup goals, assists, shots, passes and tackle stats here
Ivory Coast manager analysis
Emerse Fae has history at the World Cup. He was part of Ivory Coast’s squad in 2006, though he did not make an appearane. Fae took charge of Ivory Coast in 2024, midway through the Africa Cup of Nations. He led Les Elephants to victory too, beating Nigeria in the final. He, obviously, oversaw Ivory Coast’s campaign to qualify for the World Cup, going unbeaten. Ivory Coast did lose twice in Afcon qualifying, though, as well as their quarter-final defeat at the actual tournament.
| Coach | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerse Fae | Ivory Coast | 29 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 57 | 24 | 69.97% |
Ivory Coast World Cup FAQs
Have Ivory Coast ever won the World Cup?
Ivory Coast have never won the World Cup, being knocked out of the group stage in all three of their appearances so far.
Where did Ivory Coast finish in the last World Cup?
Ivory Coast were not present at the World Cup in 2022, last qualifying in 2014.
Who will be Ivory Coast captain at the World Cup?
Ibrahim Sangare is expected to be Ivory Coast’s captain for the World Cup
Who is Ivory Coast’s all-time top goalscorer at World Cups?
Four different players have scored two goals for Ivory Coast at World Cups. They are Aruna Dindane, Didier Drogba, Wilfried Bony and Gervinho.
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