Here’s a complete summary of
’s national team (Les Éléphants) as they head into their third consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance in Brazil 2014, aiming to break the first-round barrier and bring pride to Africa.
🇨🇮 Ivorian Football Team Overview – Brazil 2014
Federation: Ivorian Football Federation (FIF)
Confederation: CAF
Founded: April 7, 1960
Nickname: Elephants
FIFA Ranking (pre-2014 World Cup): 23rd
President: Augustin Sidy Diallo
Coach: Sabri Lamouchi
World Cup Appearances: 2 (2006, 2010)
Best Performance: First Round
2014 World Cup Slogan: Elephants conquer Brazil
🏆 Road to Brazil
Ivory Coast qualified after a hard-fought playoff against Senegal, joining fellow African nations Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. The 2014 tournament is seen as the last chance for the famed “Golden Generation” led by Didier Drogba.
🗓️ Group Stage Fixtures (Group C)
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Ivory Coast vs Japan – 1:00 a.m. GMT
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Colombia vs Ivory Coast – 4:00 p.m. GMT
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Greece vs Ivory Coast – 8:00 p.m. GMT
🌟 Key Players
⭐ Star Player: Yaya Touré
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Club: Manchester City
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Achievements: African Ballon d’Or (2011, 2012, 2013)
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Known for: Physical strength, vision, goal-scoring ability (20 goals in 2013–14 season from midfield)
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Role: The midfield general and main engine of the team.
🎯 Player to Watch: Serge Aurier
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Age: 21
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Club: Toulouse
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Stats: 6 goals and 7 assists (most productive full-back in Europe in 2013–14)
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Accolades: Best right-back in Ligue 1 (UNFP Awards)
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Future: Targeted by Arsenal and Liverpool
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Role: Key defensive weapon with offensive thrust on the right flank.
🧤 Squad List
Goalkeepers:
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Boubacar Barry (Lokeren, BEL)
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Sayouba Mandé (Stabæk, NOR)
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Sylvain Gbohouo (Séwé Sport, CIV)
Defenders:
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Kolo Touré (Liverpool, ENG)
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Arthur Boka (Stuttgart, GER)
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Serge Aurier (Toulouse, FRA)
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Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro (Toulouse, FRA)
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Ousmane Viera (Rizespor, TUR)
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Didier Zokora (Trabzonspor, TUR)
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Constant Djakpa (Frankfurt, GER)
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Souleymane Bamba (Trabzonspor, TUR)
Midfielders:
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Yaya Touré (Manchester City, ENG)
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Cheick Tioté (Newcastle, ENG)
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Geoffroy Serey Dié (FC Basel, SUI)
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Ismaël Diomandé (Saint-Étienne, FRA)
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Max Gradel (Saint-Étienne, FRA)
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Didier Ya Konan (Hannover 96, GER)
Forwards:
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Didier Drogba (Galatasaray, TUR)
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Gervinho (AS Roma, ITA)
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Salomon Kalou (Lille, FRA)
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Wilfried Bony (Swansea, ENG)
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Giovanni Sio (FC Basel, SUI)
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Mathis Bolly (Fortuna Düsseldorf, GER)
🔁 Probable Starting XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Line-up:
📌 Outlook
Ivory Coast has the experience, talent, and now a balanced squad with youth (Aurier, Diomandé) and seasoned veterans (Drogba, Yaya Touré). With a relatively manageable group, hopes are high that the Elephants will finally break through to the Round of 16—a historic first for this golden generation.
This tournament could be a defining legacy moment for the likes of Drogba, Kolo Touré, and Zokora, and a launching pad for the stars of the future.
