CÔTE D’IVOIRE QUALIFIES FOR 2026 WORLD CUP SECOND ROUND: The Elephants have broken the curse

Côte d'Ivoire has broken through a long-standing barrier, qualifying for the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history. The Elephants secured their place in the Round of 32 by defeating Curaçao 2-0 in their final Group E match on June 25, 2026.

This historic victory ends a streak of early exits for the Ivorian national team, which had previously been eliminated in the group stage in all three of its World Cup appearances. The win was met with widespread celebration in Abidjan, as fans reveled in the team's breakthrough achievement.

The qualification is seen as a testament to the growing maturity of African football. Côte d'Ivoire joins Morocco and South Africa as confirmed African representatives in the next round. Several other African nations, including Algeria, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal, still have a chance to advance, underscoring a promising showing for the continent.

Emerse Fae's squad demonstrated resilience, bouncing back from a late defeat against Germany in their previous match. Their performance against Curaçao, who were also competing for qualification, highlights the progress made by Ivorian football, solidifying its status as a continental powerhouse. The team's advancement is viewed as a positive sign for Africa's potential to compete at the highest levels of international football, building on Morocco's strong performance in the previous World Cup.