Ivory Coast will take on Canada in an international friendly at Toronto’s BMO Field on Tuesday night, looking to respond after a disappointing defeat to New Zealand over the weekend.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time (GMT-4), with fans in Ivory Coast able to watch the match at 12:30 a.m. local time.
In France, coverage begins at 2:30 a.m. The game will be broadcast on La 3 in Ivory Coast, and on OneSoccer and RDS for viewers in Canada.
Emerse Faé’s side will be under pressure to produce a more convincing display following their 1-0 loss to New Zealand on Saturday—an underwhelming performance that drew criticism from supporters and pundits alike.
The African champions were far from their best, struggling for cohesion and failing to make their dominance count in front of goal.
The match against Canada, ranked 30th by FIFA and currently positioned eleven spots ahead of the Elephants, offers an opportunity for redemption.
The North American side is expected to present a far sterner test than New Zealand, especially on home soil.
Faé is expected to ring in several changes to his starting lineup.
Emmanuel Latte Lath, who started against New Zealand but struggled with decision-making in key moments, is likely to return to the bench.
The Atalanta striker failed to make a significant impact in his return and was one of several players who looked off the pace.
Meanwhile, established names including Sébastien Haller, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra, Ibrahim Sangaré, Yahia Fofana, and Wilfried Singo are all in contention to start.
The group was introduced during the latter stages of the match against the All Whites, injecting greater urgency and tactical variation—though not enough to salvage a result.
The focus now shifts to restoring momentum and sharpening the team’s tactical edge ahead of the next round of competitive fixtures.
The Elephants’ title-winning campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations raised expectations, and supporters will be hoping the team can rediscover that level of performance on the international stage.
For Faé and his players, Tuesday’s clash is more than a friendly—it is a crucial test of character and a chance to reassert their credentials against a formidable Canadian outfit.
