Côte d'Ivoire CIV

Côte d'Ivoire arrive at the 2026 World Cup ranked 34th in the world under manager Emerse Faé, carrying the weight of a nation that has long believed its moment on the biggest stage is overdue. The Elephants have a simple, bold ambition: to do what their celebrated golden generation never managed and reach the knockout stages — and Faé himself has refused to stop there, asking publicly, "Why not win it?"

The foundations Faé has built are genuinely encouraging. His defence is settled yet flexible, and the back line did not concede a single goal throughout qualifying — a remarkable platform from which to launch a serious tournament campaign. Beyond that defensive solidity, the coach has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal, giving Côte d'Ivoire a threat that few CAF sides can match.

Questions remain, however. Midfield selection is an unresolved puzzle, and an underwhelming defence of their Africa Cup of Nations title has tempered what were previously sky-high expectations heading into this summer. Faé will need to find the right balance in the engine room if the Elephants are to translate their individual quality into collective momentum.

The squad bristles with names capable of deciding matches. Franck Kessié and Séko Fofana bring power and experience to the middle of the park, while Jean Michaël Seri adds craft. Odilon Kossounou and Evan Ndicka anchor the defence, and up front the options are plentiful — Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pépé, Guela Doué, and Christ Inao Oulaï among those competing for places. Yahia Fofana, Yan Diomandé, Christopher Opéri, and Bazoumana Touré complete a squad with genuine depth across every line.