Ivory Coast’s U17 women’s national team has secured a place in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the first time in the country’s history, qualifying on away goals despite a 2-1 defeat to Guinea in the second leg of the final qualifying round.
Having entered the return fixture with a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, the Ivorians faced an uphill task in Mali, where the decisive clash was held.
Guinea responded with two goals on home soil, but a crucial away goal from Côte d’Ivoire ensured that the aggregate score finished 2-2—enough for the visitors to advance due to the away goals rule.
The qualification marks a monumental achievement for Côte d’Ivoire, signalling a new chapter in the nation’s women’s football story.
This milestone is not only historic in terms of participation on the world stage but also a testament to the progress made within the Ivorian Football Federation’s youth development strategy.
The side, led by head coach Adélaïde Koudougnon, demonstrated exceptional resilience and composure under pressure.
While they were unable to replicate their first-leg victory, the team showed maturity beyond their years to secure the vital away goal that would send them through to the finals.
“This qualification means a lot—not just to the players, but to every young girl in Côte d’Ivoire who dreams of playing football,” said an emotional Koudougnon after the match.
Beyond the immediate celebration, the result stands as a powerful symbol of transformation in Ivorian women’s football.
Once marginalised and under-resourced, the women’s game in Côte d’Ivoire is now gaining recognition and support, bolstered by achievements such as this.
The qualification also underscores the effectiveness of the Ivorian federation’s grassroots and youth development efforts.
Over recent years, increased attention has been given to the women’s game, from local school competitions to structured training programmes designed to identify and nurture emerging talent.
Ivory Coast now joins the select group of African nations heading to the 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco—a tournament that promises to showcase the best of global youth talent.
As the countdown to Morocco begins, the focus shifts to preparing the team for the world stage, where they will have the opportunity to further elevate the status of women’s football in their country.
