World Cup: Ivory Coast set to play Iraq in warm-up game

Ivory Coast could finalize the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations with a final warm up friendly against Iraq in May.

The three time African champions’ first warm-up match before the mundial kicks off will be against former world champions, France on June 4th at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Ivory Coast are making fourth World Cup appearance

Reports emerging indicate that, the game against France won’t be the Elephants’ only friendly before the World Cup.

According to Afrik-Foot, Emerse Faé’s men are also scheduled to play Iraq on June 8th in Chicago, USA to sharpen the rough edges.

This expected to be a final test for the Elephants, who are in Group E alongside Germany, Curaçao, and Ecuador.

Iraq has also qualified for the 2026 World Cup and is in Group I with Senegal, France, and Norway.

Ivory Coast will be making their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup having missed two consecutive shows in Russia and Qatar 2018 and 2022 respectively.

The Elephants best record has been group stage exits in their maiden appearance in Germany 2006 and the two subsequent editions in South Africa 2010 and 2014 in Brazil.

They were quarterfinalists at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, suffering a 3-2 loss against record holders Egypt.