Ivory Coast’s Elephants look forward to facing Canada, New Zealand in Toronto

Ivory Coast Coach Praises Canada’s Talent

Speaking from France, Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé highlighted Canada’s growing reputation in world football.

“Canada has very good players — Jonathan David, Cyle Larin, Alphonso Davies, Derek Cornelius, Moïse Bombito from Nice, and Ismaël Koné from Rennes,” Faé said. “It’s a good team with strong organization and attacking quality. A good challenge for us.”

Despite Davies missing the tournament due to injury, Canada remains a formidable opponent, ranked 30th in the world, while Ivory Coast sits at No. 41.

Canadian Shield Tournament: What to Expect

• Canada will face Ukraine (No. 25) on June 8.

• Ivory Coast will play New Zealand (No. 86) on the same day.

• Canada and Ivory Coast will meet for the first time ever on June 10.

All matches take place at Toronto’s BMO Field, offering fans a rare chance to see top international talent.

Ivory Coast Brings Star Power

Coach Faé has assembled a strong squad, featuring players from top European and international clubs:

• Amad Diallo (Manchester United)

• Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, formerly AC Milan & Barcelona)

• Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta, on loan from Bayer Leverkusen)

• Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal, formerly Arsenal)

The team includes players from over 10 countries, including Belgium, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

Road to World Cup 2026

Ivory Coast currently leads Group F in Africa’s World Cup qualifiers with a 5-0-1 record, ahead of Gabon. The group also includes Kenya, Burundi, Gambia, and Seychelles.

With 9 African teams guaranteed a spot in the expanded 2026 tournament, Faé knows the pressure is on:

“It would be a shame not to qualify. Football is huge in Ivory Coast, and winning helps our players get international recognition.”

Faé’s Remarkable Rise

Emerse Faé, born in France, played for Reading and Nice before switching to represent Ivory Coast in 2005. After coaching youth teams in France, he joined Ivory Coast’s staff in 2022.

In 2023, he stepped in as interim head coach during the Africa Cup of Nations — leading the team to victory and earning the CAF Coach of the Year 2024 award. He became full-time head coach in February 2024.

This Canadian Shield Tournament marks Faé’s first visit to Canada.

Conclusion

Toronto, a multicultural hub with a deep passion for soccer, will be the perfect stage for this historic showdown. With rising talents, world-class veterans, and World Cup aspirations on the line, Canada vs. Ivory Coast promises to be a must-watch match in the summer of 2024.

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