World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae vows stronger comeback after elimination

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae has vowed a stronger comeback following his outfit elimination from the 2026 World Cup tournament.

The Elephants battled bravely throughout the encounter with Norway in the Round 32 but were ultimately unable to avoid elimination from the tournament currently being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Despite the disappointment of crashing out of the tournament, Emerse Faé remained optimistic about the future of his team and insisted the squad would use the setback as motivation moving forward.

Speaking after the match, Faé expressed pride in his players’ commitment and promised that the team would continue working hard to become stronger in future competitions.

“We’re going to keep working to come back stronger in future competitions,” the Ivorian tactician said following the defeat.

Ivory Coast entered the tournament with high expectations after recent progress under Faé, and the team showed moments of quality during their World Cup campaign. However, Norway proved clinical in key moments of the knockout clash and managed to secure qualification to the next round.

The Elephants fought until the final whistle and attempted to mount a comeback after falling behind, but their efforts were not enough to overturn the deficit against a disciplined Norwegian side.

Although elimination at this stage will be difficult to accept for supporters, the tournament provided valuable experience for several younger players within the Ivorian squad. The World Cup campaign also highlighted the potential of a team that continues to evolve under Faé’s leadership.

Since taking charge, Emerse Faé has helped rebuild confidence within the national side and guided the team through an important transitional period. His comments after the match suggest the focus has already shifted towards future continental and international objectives.

Attention will now turn to upcoming competitions as Ivory Coast seek to build on the lessons learned from their World Cup experience. Despite the disappointment, there remains belief that the Elephants can continue growing into one of Africa’s strongest football nations in the years ahead.