Ivorian Football Federation inspect facilities for team base camp in America ahead of 2026 World Cup

Ivory Coast have intensified preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with officials from the country’s football federation currently in the United States to assess facilities that could host the Elephants during the global tournament.

With only months remaining before the start of the expanded tournament hosted jointly by United States, Canada and Mexico, the Ivorian Football Federation has taken proactive steps to ensure the national team is fully prepared should they secure their place at the competition.

The inspection mission is being led by federation president Yacine Idriss Diallo, who is heading a delegation tasked with evaluating training facilities, accommodation arrangements and logistical conditions that would support the team throughout the tournament.

On the opening day of the visit on Thursday, March 5, the delegation travelled to Philadelphia where they toured the Philadelphia Union Training Facility, the complex earmarked to serve as the Elephants’ base camp during the competition. The facility offers modern training infrastructure designed to meet the demands of elite international teams preparing for matches during major tournaments.

The Ivorian officials also inspected Lincoln Financial Field, one of the stadiums selected to host matches during the group stage. The stadium, located in Philadelphia, is expected to play a central role during the tournament and could become the venue for Ivory Coast’s early fixtures should scheduling confirm their games there.

Beyond stadium and training ground inspections, the delegation also focused on logistical and administrative coordination. The mission later moved to Wilmington in the state of Delaware, where the Ivorian representatives held a working meeting with John Carney. Discussions during the session centered on practical arrangements, including accommodation, transport, security and overall support for the national team during the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup will be historic for several reasons, including the expansion to 48 teams and it’s hosting across three North American nations. For Ivory Coast, securing strong organizational preparation off the pitch is viewed as essential to giving the team the best possible platform to perform.

Ivory Coast have been placed in a challenging Group E alongside European powerhouse Germany, South American side Ecuador and Caribbean representatives Curaçao.

With the competition drawing closer, the Elephants’ off-field preparations highlight the federation’s determination to ensure the team arrives fully organised and ready to compete on the world’s biggest football stage.