Emerse Fae sets ambitious target as Côte d’Ivoire eye historic World Cup run

Côte d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Fae says his team is heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with firm ambitions, making clear that simply qualifying is not enough for a side intent on challenging the world’s best.

“We aren’t going to the World Cup for a holiday,” he told FIFA, emphasising that the Elephants’ return to the tournament for the first time since 2014 marks the beginning of a wider mission rather than the end of one.

We’re thrilled to have qualified, but that wasn’t the end goal. We want to prove that Côte d’Ivoire are capable of making history on the biggest stage.

Fae’s confidence stems from a commanding World Cup qualifying campaign in which his team produced one of the most dominant defensive displays on the continent.

Côte d’Ivoire finished with eight wins and two draws from ten matches, scoring 25 goals and remarkably completing the campaign without conceding a single goal.

Such numbers have lifted expectations around a squad eager to reassert itself among global contenders.

Their next major challenge arrives before the World Cup even begins.

Côte d’Ivoire will defend their continental title at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco later this year and into January, a tournament that will test the cohesion and depth Fae has been carefully building.

The coach sees the competition as a crucial step in their long-term preparations, offering a platform to refine their structure and strengthen the winning mentality he wants to take into 2026.

Fae, born in Nantes but long rooted in Ivorian football culture, has placed significant emphasis on shared responsibility within the squad.

Under his watch, the team has benefited from a wide range of goalscorers, a balance he considers essential for navigating the pressure and unpredictability of major international tournaments.

As Côte d’Ivoire await the World Cup draw on 5 December, focus within the camp has remained steady.

Fae’s reflections on their qualifying run reveal a group committed to collective improvement rather than celebrating milestones too early.

 

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Their last appearance on the world stage came in Brazil more than a decade ago, and their return is seen as a long-awaited opportunity to reclaim their place among Africa’s leading forces.

The coach’s message is unambiguous: Côte d’Ivoire do not intend to merely participate.

Fae believes the side can emulate, and potentially surpass, the achievements of Morocco’s memorable 2022 campaign, when the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

With a settled squad, strong qualifying form and a clear vision, the Elephants head to North America with their sights firmly set on making their own mark on football history.