Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae represented the country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Ivory Coast will get its FIFA World Cup 2026 Group-E campaign underway against Ecuador at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on Sunday.

Emerse Fae inspired the Ivory Coast side back into the World Cup after 12 years, and naturally, would not let his wards go down without giving a fight. He had played in the 2006 edition of the tournament, Ivory Coast’s first-ever World Cup appearance and has proved his ability at the African Cup of Nations as a manager.

Taking charge as a full-time coach mid-tournament in AFCON 2023, his boys beat Mali, Senegal and DR Congo, before defeating Nigeria to lift the title. And as the hunt for the next Drogba continues, the Chelsea legend’s former national team-mate will hope he can script another historic chapter for the Elephants at the World Cup.

Emerse Fae record as coach: (all for Ivory Coast)

• Matches: 32
• Wins: 22
• Drawn: 5
• Lost: 5
• Win%: 68.75

Published on Jun 14, 2026