Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 Tickets

Current Squad & Key Players

Off the back of a positive qualifying campaign, Ivory Coast head into this summer's World Cup as a team with plenty of confidence. Their squad is largely settled; however, as with any international football team, there is a need for evolution and experimentation, as you can see from their squad below.

November qualifying squad

GK: Yahia Fofana (Çaykur Rizespor)
GK: Mohamed Kone (Charleroi)
GK: Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
DF: Clément Akpa (Auxerre)
DF: Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente)
DF: Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)
DF: Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta)
DF: Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz)
DF: Guéla Doué (Strasbourg)
DF: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
DF: Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP)
DF: Evan Ndicka (Roma)
MF: Mario Dorgeles (Braga)
MF: Seko Fofana (Rennes)
MF: Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli)
MF: Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest)
MF: Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor)
MF: Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi)
FW: Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)
FW: Evann Guessand (Aston Villa)
FW: Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris)
FW: Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge)
FW: Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
FW: Sébastien Haller (Utrecht)
FW: Richard Kone (Queens Park Rangers)
FW: Vakoun Issouf Bayo (Udinese)

Key players

Franck Kessié – The leader in midfield. Kessié brings experience and calm, and he consistently delivers in high‑pressure moments for club and country.

Seko Fofana – A driving force from box to box. Fofana brings energy, ball‑carrying ability and long‑range shooting, often changing the rhythm of games on his own.

Evan N'Dicka – The defensive anchor. N'Dicka is composed on the ball, strong in duels and crucial to Ivory Coast's stability at the back.

Notable omissions from Ivory Coast's latest squad

Simon Adingra – One of the brightest young talents in the squad and a key figure at AFCON 2023.

Jeremie Boga – A creative wide player with strong international experience who is often involved in major tournaments.

Eric Bailly – A former defensive leader whose absence is noticeable despite recent inconsistency and injuries.

Ivory Coast's World Cup Qualification Journey

Ivory Coast's path through the World Cup qualifiers has been marked by consistency. Drawn in CAF Group F alongside Gabon, Kenya, Gambia, Burundi and Seychelles, they put together an impressive run, remaining unbeaten across all ten of their matches. Their campaign combined a steady attacking output with one of the most reliable defensive records in the group, highlighted by several clean sheets and dominant wins, including a 9–0 victory over Seychelles and a 7–0 win in the reverse fixture. The goals were shared across the squad, key contributions came from several players, including Sébastien Haller, Seko Fofana, Franck Kessié, Oumar Diakité and Evann Guessand, each stepping up at different moments to keep Ivory Coast on track. Take a look at Ivory Coast's qualifying record below.

• 17 Nov 2023 – Ivory Coast 9–0 Seychelles
• 20 Nov 2023 – Gambia 0–2 Ivory Coast
• 07 Jun 2024 – Ivory Coast 1–0 Gabon
• 11 Jun 2024 – Kenya 0–0 Ivory Coast
• 21 Mar 2025 – Burundi 0–1 Ivory Coast
• 24 Mar 2025 – Ivory Coast 1–0 Gambia
• 05 Sep 2025 – Ivory Coast 1–0 Burundi
• 09 Sep 2025 – Gabon 0–0 Ivory Coast
• 10 Oct 2025 – Seychelles 0–7 Ivory Coast
• 14 Oct 2025 – Ivory Coast 3–0 Kenya

Ivory Coast's Group Assignment & Opponents

Ivory Coast's 2026 World Cup campaign begins on 15 June, and they open with a match against Ecuador at Lincoln Financial Field. Ecuador are physical, disciplined and tough to break down, so Ivory Coast will need to be sharp from the outset. A strong performance here would give them immediate momentum in a very competitive Group E.

Five days later, on 20 June, they travel to BMO Stadium to take on Germany. It's the toughest fixture in the group on paper, and one that will need complete focus. Germany's pedigree speaks for itself, but Ivory Coast have the athleticism and midfield power to make this a real contest.

They close out the group on 25 June back at Lincoln Financial Field, this time against Curaçao. Depending on how the first two matches unfold, this could be the decisive fixture. Curaçao are organised and technically tidy, but it's a match where Ivory Coast will expect to assert themselves, control the tempo and push for the result they need.

Ivory Coast's World Cup 2026 Fixtures

Ivory Coast face a tough but exciting World Cup schedule. They open on 15 June against Ecuador at Lincoln Financial Field, a matchup that should immediately test their resolve. Five days later, they head to BMO Stadium for a huge challenge against Germany, the group's strongest opponent. They finish back at Lincoln Financial Field on 25 June against Curaçao, a game that could decide their fate. Despite the difficulty, Ivory Coast have the quality and intensity to compete for a knockout‑stage place in Group E.

• June 15, 2026 – Ivory Coast v Ecuador (Lincoln Financial Field, USA)
• June 20, 2026 – Germany v Ivory Coast (BMO Stadium, Canada)
• June 25, 2026 – Curaçao v Ivory Coast (Lincoln Financial Field, USA)

Ivory Coast's Tactical Approach & Playing Style

Ivory Coast's tactical approach is built on physical strength, technical quality and a flexible game plan that adapts to the opponent. They typically line up in a 4‑3‑3 or 4‑2‑3‑1, using a strong midfield core to control matches. Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré and Seko Fofana form the heart of the team, giving Ivory Coast a mix of ball‑winning ability and composure in possession.

Defensively, Ivory Coast favour a compact mid‑block rather than constant pressing. Centre‑backs like Evan N'Dicka, Odilon Kossounou and Ousmane Diomande provide athleticism and reliability, while the full‑backs push high to stretch the pitch. Their structure makes them difficult to break down, which is reflected in the number of clean sheets they've kept throughout qualifying.

In attack, Ivory Coast look to move the ball quickly into wide areas, using the pace and creativity of players like Amad Diallo and Simon Adingra when available. Strikers Sébastien Haller or Evann Guessand offer strong hold‑up play and presence in the box.

Host Cities & Venues Where Ivory Coast Plays

Ivory Coast's World Cup journey takes them to two standout venues in North America, beginning and ending at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. Known locally as The Linc, it has been the home of the Philadelphia Eagles since 2003 and has quickly built a reputation as a world‑class host for major events. It has staged international friendlies, CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, and the 2025 Club World Cup, earning praise for its modern facilities, steep seating design and intense atmosphere. It's an ideal setting for Ivory Coast's opener against Ecuador and their decisive final group match against Curaçao.

Between those two fixtures, Ivory Coast travel to Toronto for their toughest test: Germany at BMO Field, known during the tournament as Toronto Stadium. Overlooking Lake Ontario, it's one of the most distinctive and intimate venues at the World Cup. Its soccer‑specific design brings fans close to the pitch, which really elevates the atmosphere. Home to Toronto FC and the Toronto Argonauts, it has hosted everything from MLS playoffs to U‑20 World Cup matches, making it a fitting stage for a high‑profile clash.

Together, these venues offer Ivory Coast a mix of intensity, atmosphere and world‑class infrastructure as they navigate a competitive Group E.

World Cup 2026 Fanzones for Ivory Coast Supporters

The World Cup Fan Festival is the go-to destination for fans without a stadium ticket to watch World Cup games. Located across the host cities, fans can watch live match screenings, eat local food and see some top-tier entertainment, all while soaking in the tournament atmosphere. Below is a list of the fan zones already announced across the host cities and the ones that are suspected to play a part:

Ivory Coast's Tournament Predictions & Chances

Although they may not be among the favourites, Ivory Coast certainly have the talent and experience to cause some major upsets at this summer's World Cup. While sides like England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, and France dominate the headlines, Ivory Coast could thrive under the underdog label, easing the weight of expectation and effectively seeing this tournament as a free run at the favourites.

Ivory Coast head into the 2026 World Cup with a sense of purpose after an impressive qualifying campaign that highlighted their resilience and growing maturity. With established leaders providing stability and a promising new generation pushing the team forward, Ivory Coast may not be among the pre‑tournament favourites, but they will arrive as a dangerous, well‑drilled side that no heavyweight will take lightly. Their blend of experience, energy, and grit makes them a team capable of troubling anyone this summer.

Ivory Coast's World Cup History & Legacy

Ivory Coast's World Cup history is relatively recent, but it has already shaped a clear identity for the national team. Their first appearance came in 2006, when they were thrown into a brutally difficult group with Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia and Montenegro. Even though they didn't advance, their performances were competitive and enough to signal that Ivory Coast belonged at this level.

They returned in 2010 and 2014, once again facing tough groups that included Brazil, Portugal, Colombia and Japan. Those tournaments showcased the country's golden generation: Didier Drogba, Yaya and Kolo Touré, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou. That era helped establish Ivory Coast as one of Africa's most respected sides. They came close to reaching the knockout rounds on multiple occasions, often falling just short in tightly contested groups.

Ivory Coast have never been overwhelmed by the occasion, and their squads have always carried a mix of talent, athleticism and personality. As they head into 2026 with a new generation, the sense is that they're building on that foundation, aiming not just to participate, but to finally progress deeper into the tournament.

Ivory Coast's Squad Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Powerful midfield – Kessié, Sangaré and Fofana give Ivory Coast a rare mix of physicality, control and ball‑carrying quality.
• Athletic defence – N'Dicka, Kossounou and Diomande allow the team to defend high and recover quickly.
• Variety in attack – They can switch between Haller's hold‑up play, Guessand's movement and Amad's creativity depending on the opponent.
• Strong mentality – Recent tournament success has given the squad confidence and resilience in tight matches.

Weaknesses

• Chance creation inconsistency – They sometimes rely too much on individual brilliance rather than structured attacking patterns.
• Streaky finishing – Ivory Coast can dominate games without turning pressure into goals.
• Full‑back depth – Their options out wide in defence are less proven than the rest of the squad.
• Less comfortable in slow, technical games – Opponents who control tempo and force them into tight spaces can disrupt their rhythm.

How to Buy World Cup 2026 Tickets for Ivory Coast

The World Cup is the pinnacle of professional football, and it only comes around every four years, so tickets are in high demand and notoriously tricky to get your hands on. In fact, our customer service team gets a lot of fans who ask: How can I book World Cup tickets for an Ivory Coast game? And it can be tricky. Let's walk you through all the steps so you can start thinking about booking your flights across the pond.

1. Select the match you want to attend and click 'View Tickets'.
2. Select the area you would like to sit within the stadium graphic on the right-hand side.
3. Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase.
4. Click on the green 'Buy' button.
5. Complete the order form using your personal details.
6. Don't forget to check that all your information has been input and is correct.
7. Click 'Make Payment'.
8. The tickets are now yours!

Ticket prices tend to vary depending on the seat category and match type, so do bear that in mind when selecting matches. Some games, mainly knockout matches or popular teams, can sell out incredibly quickly, so make sure you book early and are on high alert for when tickets come on sale!