A team profile of Ivory Coast, 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions: 37th in the FIFA ranking, 4th appearance, Emerse Fae's tactics, players to watch like Sebastien Haller, and the Group E outlook with Germany, Ecuador and Curacao.
Follow as many teams and players as you like — every match you care about, synced to your calendar.
Every Matchday 1 result from the 2026 World Cup group stage, group by group. Messi's hat-trick, Haaland and Mbappé doubles, Germany's seven-goal rout, and Japan's 2-2 with the Netherlands — plus what each result sets up for Matchday 2.
Japan's 2026 World Cup games kick off at 5am vs Netherlands, 1pm vs Tunisia and 8am vs Sweden. Where to watch them across Japan — every DAZN AEON Cinema, Toei cinema, free AEON Mall venue and HUB branch, in region-by-region tables with names, stations and prices.
A team profile of Cape Verde (Blue Sharks), who reached a first-ever FIFA World Cup: 68th in the FIFA ranking, a half-million-population island nation's historic feat, coach Bubista, players to watch like Jamiro Monteiro, and the Group H challenge against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
A team profile of Saudi Arabia (Green Falcons), who beat Argentina in 2022: 61st in the FIFA ranking, 7th appearance, best result Round of 16 in 1994, Georgios Donis's tactics, players to watch like Salem Al-Dawsari, and the Group H outlook with Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.
Every Matchday 1 result from the 2026 World Cup group stage, group by group. Messi's hat-trick, Haaland and Mbappé doubles, Germany's seven-goal rout, and Japan's 2-2 with the Netherlands — plus what each result sets up for Matchday 2.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties (1-1 aet, 4-3) in the 2026 Champions League final to go back-to-back. The goals, the shootout, Vitinha's MOTM, Arteta's reaction, what it means, and how Japan watched it.
View the World Cup 2026 schedule across all 104 matches, with timezone-aware kickoff times and calendar options for every fixture.
A team profile of Cape Verde (Blue Sharks), who reached a first-ever FIFA World Cup: 68th in the FIFA ranking, a half-million-population island nation's historic feat, coach Bubista, players to watch like Jamiro Monteiro, and the Group H challenge against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
A team profile of Uruguay (La Celeste) at the FIFA World Cup 2026: 17th in the FIFA ranking, 15th appearance, two-time champions (1930, 1950), Marcelo Bielsa's tactics, players to watch like Federico Valverde, and the Group H outlook with Spain, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
Arsenal are 2025-26 Premier League champions — their first title in 22 years. How Mikel Arteta's side clinched it, the players behind it, and what comes next, including the Champions League final.
The African champions are back on the World Cup stage. Ivory Coast, Les Éléphants, return for the first time since 2014 carrying the rush of that extraordinary 2023 Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil. This is a team guide to their history, style, players to watch and Group E path, with one target burning above everything else: a first-ever trip beyond the World Cup group stage. For every final squad member introduced individually, see the Ivory Coast 26-man squad guide.
Ivory Coast's modern football identity was forged by the Didier Drogba generation. They reached their first World Cup in 2006, then made it three in a row in 2010 and 2014, powered by a golden core that included Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, Gervinho and Drogba himself. At their best, they were physical, fearless and packed with match-winners.
The World Cup, though, has never quite opened up for them. In 2006 they landed with Argentina and the Netherlands. In 2010 it was Brazil and Portugal. In 2014 they were seconds from the last 16 before Greece's stoppage-time penalty sent them out. Three appearances, three group-stage exits, and a sense that a nation with this much talent still had unfinished business.
Then came the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, staged in Ivory Coast in early 2024. After a bruising group stage and a mid-tournament coaching change, Emerse Faé took over and the story turned wild: Senegal on penalties, Mali after extra time, DR Congo in the semi-final, then a 2-1 comeback win over Nigeria in the final. It was dramatic, emotional and transformative. Now the Elephants arrive at the World Cup as African champions, ready to turn continental belief into a global breakthrough.
Ivory Coast's appeal starts with power and individual quality. They can turn midfield duels into launchpads, move the ball forward quickly after winning it, and attack with speed on both flanks. Even when an opponent has longer spells of possession, one vertical pass, one winger bursting clear or one cross into the box can change the match.
Faé's side also showed real resilience during that AFCON run. They defend with midfield strength, slow opponents down through contact and pressure, then release runners into space as soon as the ball is won. Sébastien Haller's finishing is the attacking reference point: give him service in the box and Ivory Coast have a route to goals against anyone.
Amad Diallo has become Ivory Coast's spark on the right, beating defenders one-on-one and creating chances with pace and end product. He is the attacker opponents fear most.
Franck Kessié is the midfield core, valuable in both directions. His strength, timing and forward drive give Ivory Coast the platform to compete with elite opponents.
Ibrahim Sangaré brings the defensive weight and physical presence in midfield. He can break up attacks, protect the back line and turn recoveries into immediate forward momentum.
Simon Adingra is the winger who can stretch a game with speed and direct running. Against organized defenses, his ability to beat a man may be the spark that opens everything up.
Amad Diallo adds thrust and invention in the final third. Whether starting or coming on, he has the close control and acceleration to shift the rhythm of a match.
There is quality well beyond those five names, with power, youth and experience running through the squad. The full selection story and every player profile are in the Ivory Coast 26-man squad guide.
Ivory Coast open against Ecuador on 14 June, face Germany on 20 June, and close against Curaçao on 25 June.
Germany are the obvious reference point in Group E, but Ivory Coast have a real path to the top two. Take something from Ecuador, make Germany uncomfortable, then finish the job against Curaçao. For a side still chasing its first knockout-round appearance, this is the kind of group that can turn belief into history.
Because the tournament is in North America, kickoffs land from late night to early morning in Japan. The Ecuador opener is set for 8:00 a.m. JST on 15 June, a watchable but easy-to-miss morning slot. Subscribe to Ivory Coast's fixtures so every match lands in your calendar.
Without a powerful target man (Haller), Faé has committed to a style that breaks teams down with speed and combination play. The dribbling of Amad Diallo and Adingra, and the drive of a Kessié-led midfield, are the team's lifeblood. How much of their continental-champion momentum they can show from the opening game will be key.
Yahia Fofana is the first-choice goalkeeper.
Evan Ndicka leads the back line with his defending and covering.
Franck Kessié is the midfield engine, driving the team in both directions.
Amad Diallo is the focal point of the attack, making the difference with his dribbling and finishing.
The experienced Nicolas Pépé creates chances with his wide threat.
GK: Yahia Fofana / Alban Lafont / Mohamed Koné
DF: Evan Ndicka / Odilon Kossounou / Wilfried Singo / Ousmane Diomandé / Emmanuel Agbadou / Ghislain Konan / Guéla Doué / Clément Akpa
MF: Franck Kessié / Ibrahim Sangaré / Seko Fofana / Jean-Michaël Seri / Bazoumana Touré / Christ Inao Oulaï / Parfait Guiagon
FW: Amad Diallo / Nicolas Pépé / Simon Adingra / Evann Guessand / Elye Wahi / Ange-Yoan Bonny / Oumar Diakité / Yan Diomandé
Subscribe once. Every match syncs to Google, Apple, and Outlook automatically — no manual updates needed.
Q. How many times has Ivory Coast reached the World Cup? This is their 4th appearance, after 2006, 2010 and 2014. It is their first World Cup finals since Brazil 2014.
Q. Who are Ivory Coast's group opponents? Group E: Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao. Ivory Coast open against Ecuador on 14 June.
Q. What is Ivory Coast's best World Cup result? The group stage. They have never reached the knockout rounds, so 2026 is a chance to make national World Cup history.
Q. Who is the head coach? Emerse Faé. He took over during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and led Ivory Coast to the title, then guided them through qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
