Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire return after missing both 2018 and 2022, restored to football's biggest stage as reigning African champions. The 2024 Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil — fueled by a never-say-die comeback narrative — re-established Les Éléphants as a continental force. Emerse Faé, who took charge mid-AFCON and never gave it back, leads the project. Sébastien Haller, recovered from his cancer battle, leads the line as a symbol of resilience; Franck Kessié provides midfield steel; Sébastien Bahoya and Simon Adingra add wing pace. Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador is winnable for second place. A knockout-round appearance would mark continued African ascent post-Morocco 2022.
Upcoming matches
Group E standings
| # | Teams | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Curaçao | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Côte d'Ivoire | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |