Ivory Coast arrive at the 2026 World Cup for the fourth time, and for the first time in twelve years. Their three previous appearances, in 2006, 2010, and 2014, all ended at the group stage, yet each campaign carried genuine weight. The 2006 edition placed them alongside Argentina and the Netherlands in what was widely called a group of death, and they still claimed a victory against Serbia and Montenegro. Three Africa Cup of Nations titles, in 1992, 2015, and 2023, confirm the talent the country has consistently produced, even when the World Cup has proved elusive.

Ivory Coast earned their return to the global stage with one of the most dominant qualifying campaigns in CAF history. Coached by Emerse Fae, they topped Group F with eight wins and two draws across ten matches, never losing and, remarkably, never conceding a single goal. The campaign opened with a nine nil dismantling of Seychelles in November 2023, a result that set a CAF qualifying record. Their closest rival, Gabon, finished just one point behind on twenty five points, but the Elephants held firm throughout. The group was sealed with a three nil win over Kenya in Abidjan on 10/14/25.