World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast sign off preparations with 2-0 win over Philadelphia Union II

Ivory Coast concluded their final warm-up match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a confident 2–0 victory over Philadelphia Union II in a friendly encounter held as part of their tournament preparations.

The Elephants, who are finalising their build-up before the global showpiece kicks off on 11 June, controlled proceedings throughout the match and dictated the tempo against the MLS Next Pro reserve side in a game played over three periods.

Ivory Coast made a strong start and were rewarded early when Evann Guessand opened the scoring in the 9th minute, giving the African side an immediate advantage and setting the tone for a dominant display.

The Elephants continued to assert their authority in possession and attacking play, pressing high and creating multiple chances as they looked to extend their lead before halftime.

Their superiority paid off in the 40th minute when Ange-Yoan Bonny calmly converted a penalty to double the advantage and put the match firmly under Ivory Coast’s control.

Despite their dominance, the Ivorians also showed defensive discipline, with goalkeeper Alban Lafont playing a key role in maintaining the clean sheet. The shot-stopper produced a crucial moment in the match by saving a penalty, ensuring Ivory Coast stayed firmly in command.

The friendly served as an important final test for the Elephants ahead of their World Cup campaign, allowing the coaching staff to assess tactical balance, squad depth, and match readiness.

With confidence boosted by the win, Ivory Coast head into the tournament aiming to make a strong impression on the global stage and carry their positive form into the competition.

The result reflects a promising end to their preparations as the team now shifts focus fully to their opening World Cup fixtures, where expectations will be high for the African giants.