* Their plight mirrors the fate that has befallen thousands of supporters from around the world who have been affected by entry denials or astronomical costs of attending the global tournament that kicked off on Thursday
* For decades, Cote d’Ivoire’s most dedicated football supporters have followed the Elephants across Africa and beyond
Maravi Express
Côte d’Ivoire fans have been left grounded for the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 after eased U.S. travel restrictions came too late to secure visas and group bookings, marking their first absence from a major tournament.
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Their plight mirrors the fate that has befallen thousands of supporters from around the world who have been affected by entry denials or astronomical costs of attending the global tournament that kicked off on Thursday.
For decades, Côte d’Ivoire’s most dedicated football supporters have followed the Elephants across Africa and beyond, who are famous for their colourful choreography, drums and relentless singing and consider themselves the team’s ‘12th man’.
“This is the first time we have experienced such a situation,” said fan Assi Cho Eulalie. “We have always been there for the team, whether at the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations, and it is painful to be absent.”
Supporters had hoped to make the overseas trip after learning that some earlier travel restrictions slapped on Côte d’Ivoire by U.S. administration had been eased.
However, with the tournament well underway, and Côte d’Ivoire facing Ecuador tonight from 01h00, time has run out to secure visas and make travel arrangements for large groups.
Some fans have not given up and are now appealing to the authorities for help: “I still believe there is a way to resolve this situation. We want the authorities to do everything possible so that supporters can stand behind the Elephants,” said Yao Jessica Flaura.
The supporters’ committee has now turned to Plan B — rather than sending fans from Cote d’Ivoire, it now hopes to mobilise the Ivorian diaspora already living in the United States to cheer the Elephants.
“We have a strong Ivorian community in the United States,” said Didia Laurent Socrate, a member of the National Committee. “Our representatives can work with them to mobilise support for the team. Even if the official supporters cannot travel, we believe the players will still feel the backing of their fans.”
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Fae has stated his squad will not sit back or play defensively against Ecuador or Germany (June 20) and Curaçao (June) in Group E.
The Elephants, who have qualified for the World Cup four times, will be seeking to go past the group stages as they have never advanced to the knockout stages.
During their initial tournament runs, the country relied heavily on a renowned ‘Golden Generation’ featuring international stars like Didier Drogba, Gervinho and Yaya Toure.
Drogba
Yaya Toure
Gervinho
Returning to the global stage after an absence of 12 years, Côte d’Ivoire qualified as the reigning Africa Cup of Nations (AfCON) 2023 champions.
Speaking to FIFA.com ahead of the match, coach Fae admitted Ecuador will provide a stern challenge but his team will be ready to respond to every attack they pose.
“It will be a battle,” said the coach coach. “But that area of the game doesn’t concern me. My team will have the answers for that.
“As soon as we’re well-organised defensively, I like to give my players freedom. I like players who can create, who have imagination, who never do the same thing.
“Nowadays, with video footage everywhere, it’s so easy for opponents to analyse us. We have to be unpredictable. We genuinely believe in our ability and believe we can go very far.”
Emerse Fae
Defender Guela Doue stressed the significance of making a strong start to the competition: “Our first game will be very important. We know that starting well and winning the game will put us in the best possible position to go further in the tournament.
“We feel very determined going into this game and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our preparations. We have players who are capable of unsettling the opposition in wide areas and scoring goals.
“We’re about to play on the biggest stage in world football, and we’re not just here to make up the numbers; our aim is to go as far as possible.
Guela Doue
“We’re representing Côte d’Ivoire and we’ll do all we can to make our country proud,” said Doue, while Bazoumana Toure, who plays for Hoffenheim, said: “When the game gets underway, I’ll be very emotional and happy, I’ll have goosebumps.
“Playing at the World Cup has genuinely been a huge dream of mine, as we’ve seen stars such Gervinho and Didier Drogba grace this stage for our country before. And now it’s our turn.”
Bazoumana Toure
On what kind of game they will anticipate from Ecuador, the forward said: “They’re physical, but so are we. They are strong defensively, but we also have some very good players, going forward, who can make the difference at any moment.
“Everyone is at the top of their game and I think the Ecuadorians could well be surprised by the way we’ll approach this game.”—Reporting by Bastille Post & Flashscore News; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
Can wait
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
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