World Cup: Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae sets ambitious target

Head coach of the Ivory Coast national team Emerse Faé, has set a big target for this summer’s World Cup.

The Elephants who won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, are returning to the World Cup after missing two editions in 2018 and 2022 in Russia and Qatar respectively.

Emerse Faé, who replaced Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset during the 2023 AFCON, had this to say about their World Cup target.

Ivory Coast are paired against Germany, Ecuador, Curaçao

“I’ve believed for some time now, especially after what we saw in Ivory Coast (AFCON 2023), that African teams need to believe in themselves more because they have the quality to achieve great things.

“I think Ivory Coast has the potential to achieve something exceptional.

The 42-year-old Faé who has 41 caps for Ivory Coast, says the nation will approach the World Cup with utmost seriousness.

“We will approach the competition with the ambition to win every match, taking it one game at a time, and going as far as possible.

“Why not aim for the final?” Faé said in an interview with FlashScore.

The former Nantes, Reading, and OG Nice midfielder previously managed Ivory Coast U-23 and Clermont Foot B.

Before thinking about the final, Ivory Coast must first advance from their group, where they face Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao.

The three time African champions failed to go past the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Morocco.

Walking into the tournament as defending champions and one of the favorites to win the title, a 3-2 loss against record holders Egypt ended their dreams.