Côte d’Ivoire arrives in Doha for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Côte d’Ivoire’s national U-17 team, nicknamed “Les Éléphanteaux,” has arrived in Doha, Qatar, for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which kicks off on November 3.

The young Elephants will face a challenging group stage in Group F, which features a diverse mix of international powerhouses: Mexico, Korea Republic, and Switzerland.

This marks their fifth appearance at the tournament and their first since 2013. Coach Bassiriki Diabaté has described the group as “difficult” but also a “massive test of tactical adaptability and mental strength” for his squad.

The Ivorians secured their spot in the tournament after reaching the knockout phase of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third.

The squad, composed of promising talent from both domestic and international clubs, has been preparing for the tournament with a series of friendly matches.

The team’s best performance in the competition was a third-place finish in 1987, and they reached the quarterfinals in 2013.

Côte d’Ivoire will begin its campaign against Switzerland on November 4 at the Aspire Zone in Doha.

The following week, they will take on Mexico on November 7, before concluding their group stage fixtures against Korea Republic on November 10.

These matches will test the young Elephants’ ability to adapt to different styles of play as they aim to progress from a tough group in the newly expanded 48-team tournament.

The tournament will run until November 27.