Ivory Coast become fifth African nation to defeat France after 2-1 win

Ivory Coast made history on Thursday by becoming only the fifth African nation to defeat France after securing a 2-1 victory in an international friendly at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

The result served as a major confidence boost for the Elephants ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and added another memorable chapter to African football’s record against the former world champions.

Comeback Victory in Nantes

France took the lead shortly before halftime through Rayan Cherki, who put the hosts ahead in the 45th minute.

However, Ivory Coast responded strongly after the break. Gilles Doue equalised in the 53rd minute before Amad Diallo completed the comeback with the winning goal in the 84th minute.

The victory capped an impressive performance from the African side and highlighted their readiness ahead of the upcoming World Cup.

Exclusive List of African Victories Over France

According to statistics published by Stats Foot, Ivory Coast are now the fifth African country to record a victory over France at senior international level.

The historic list includes:

Senegal, who won 1-0 on May 31, 2002.

Nigeria, who defeated France 2-1 on June 2, 2009.

South Africa, who claimed a 2-1 victory on June 22, 2010.

Tunisia, who secured a 1-0 win on November 30, 2022.

Ivory Coast, who triumphed 2-1 on June 4, 2026.

Among those nations, Tunisia remains the only Arab team to have beaten France.

World Cup Meeting Against Senegal Awaits

France will now shift its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they are set to face another African opponent in their opening Group I fixture.

The French side have been drawn alongside Senegal, Norway and Iraq, setting up an intriguing clash against the African champions as they begin their quest for World Cup glory.

Meanwhile, Ivory Coast will head into the tournament full of confidence after their historic victory, hoping to carry that momentum onto football’s biggest stage.