Fédération Ivoirienne de Football

Les Éléphants • 2023 AFCON Champions

Qualification Journey

Ivory Coast secured their return to the FIFA World Cup after an 11-year absence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Kenya at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on October 14, 2025. The Elephants’ triumph marked a redemption story after missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, with the current generation determined to restore Ivorian football to its rightful place among the world’s elite. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations across the nation as football fever gripped the 2023 AFCON champions.

The qualification campaign was marked by significant milestones:

• Return to World Cup after missing 2018 and 2022 editions
• Fourth World Cup appearance in nation’s history
• Building on 2023 AFCON triumph on home soil
• New generation stepping up after golden generation era
• Unbeaten home record throughout qualifying campaign

Match Analysis: Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya

The qualification-clinching victory over Kenya was a professional display that demonstrated Ivory Coast’s readiness to return to the global stage. Playing at the iconic Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in front of 35,000 passionate supporters, the Elephants controlled the match from start to finish. The three-goal margin reflected their dominance, with clinical finishing and tactical discipline ensuring there would be no late drama.

The atmosphere in Abidjan was electric, with fans creating a sea of orange and celebrating each goal with increasing fervor. The comprehensive victory was a fitting way to seal qualification, showcasing the technical quality and team cohesion that has been rebuilt following the retirement of the golden generation. This new-look Ivory Coast team proved they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

CAF Campaign: From Disappointment to Triumph

Ivory Coast’s path to World Cup 2026 represents a remarkable turnaround from the disappointments of recent qualifying campaigns. After failing to reach the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, questions were raised about the post-golden generation era. However, the 2023 AFCON triumph on home soil proved to be the catalyst for renewed belief and success. The team carried that momentum into World Cup qualifying, displaying the confidence of champions.

Throughout the qualifying campaign, Ivory Coast showed the resilience and quality that had been missing in recent years. The blend of experienced players who remember the last World Cup appearance in 2014 and hungry young talents eager to make their mark created the perfect recipe for success. The team’s ability to win crucial matches, particularly at home, proved decisive in securing automatic qualification.

Squad Evolution and Key Players

The current Ivorian squad represents a successful transition from the golden generation of Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Kolo Touré to a new era of talented players. While the star power may not match their predecessors, the collective strength and team unity have compensated for individual brilliance. The 2023 AFCON success proved that this generation can win major tournaments through teamwork and tactical discipline.

Key players have emerged to lead this new era, with Franck Kessié providing midfield steel and leadership qualities that echo the great Yaya Touré. Sébastien Haller offers a focal point in attack, while Nicolas Pépé’s pace and trickery on the wings create constant threats. The emergence of younger talents from European academies has added technical quality and tactical sophistication to the traditional Ivorian power and athleticism.

Tactical Approach and Playing Style

Under their current tactical setup, Ivory Coast has developed a more balanced approach compared to the all-out attacking style of the golden generation. The team typically operates in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on defensive organization while maintaining the attacking flair that has always characterized Ivorian football. This evolution has made them more difficult to beat while retaining their goal-scoring threat.

The Elephants’ playing style combines physical presence with technical ability, utilizing the pace of their wingers and the aerial threat of their forwards. Set pieces have become a particular strength, with the team’s height and power causing problems for opponents. The tactical flexibility to adapt between possession-based football and quick counter-attacks makes them unpredictable opponents capable of troubling any team.

World Cup History: Golden Memories and Future Dreams

Ivory Coast’s World Cup history includes three previous appearances (2006, 2010, 2014), all during the golden generation era. Despite boasting world-class players, they never progressed beyond the group stage, with narrow misses and unfortunate draws preventing breakthrough moments. The 2014 campaign in Brazil was particularly painful, eliminated despite defeating Japan and drawing with Greece, falling short on goal difference.

The golden generation’s failure to achieve World Cup success remains a source of motivation for the current squad. This new generation has already achieved what their predecessors couldn’t – winning the AFCON – and now aims to create their own World Cup legacy. The lessons learned from past disappointments, combined with their recent success, position them well for a potential breakthrough in 2026.

Looking Ahead to 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup presents Ivory Coast with an opportunity to finally achieve the breakthrough that eluded their golden generation. The expanded 48-team format increases the chances of progression from the group stage, offering a more forgiving structure for teams looking to make their mark. With the confidence gained from their AFCON triumph and successful World Cup qualification, the Elephants have momentum on their side.

The tournament’s location across North America will see significant Ivorian diaspora support, particularly in French-speaking areas of Canada. The team’s blend of emerging talents and experienced players who remember the disappointment of missing recent World Cups creates a hungry squad determined to prove themselves. For Ivory Coast, 2026 represents not just a return to the World Cup, but a chance to write a new chapter in their football history.

This qualification marks Ivory Coast’s fourth World Cup appearance and their first since 2014. After missing two consecutive tournaments, the Elephants’ return to football’s biggest stage, combined with their recent AFCON success, signals a renaissance in Ivorian football and the emergence of a new generation ready to create their own legacy.