Former Ivory Coast Elephants assistant coach Guy Demel has made serious accusations against the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) following the non-renewal of his contract. This revelation comes as the national team sits second in their World Cup 2026 group with six points from two wins and one loss. The news was first reported by Koaci.com on Tuesday, September 9, 2026.
Guy Demel, a former international midfielder and part of the technical staff led by Emerse Faé, saw his association with the head coach end. In an interview scheduled for broadcast on the NCI channel on Thursday, September 10, the ex-international claims the federation was not happy to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with them. "We won the AFCON. But they are not happy to have won it with us, meaning the Federation. What was their motivation?", Demel said.
What are Guy Demel's accusations?
The former assistant's statements are severe. He asserts that the FIF tried to create complicated conditions during the continental tournament to achieve negative results. This AFCON victory and the historic qualification for the World Cup knockout stages were nevertheless the main achievements of the Faé-Demel duo. The Ivorian team currently has a record of four goals scored and two conceded in the global competition. Demel also questions the motivations of FIF president Hervé Renard, a two-time AFCON winner with different national teams, who reportedly contacted him.
What is the context of this non-renewal?
The non-renewal of Guy Demel's contract follows that of Emerse Faé. An anonymous source, referring to themselves as "Mon frère Demel", offered a controversial explanation to Koaci.com. "It's a matter of ETHNIC rebalancing, and I have already denounced it. In record time, the Faé/Demel association won the AFCON," the source stated. This source claims the FIF lacks valid justification and that the appointment of Hervé Renard's assistant is based on tribal affiliation. The federation has not yet publicly reacted to these allegations.
Where do the Elephants stand in the World Cup?
This internal turmoil comes at a key time for the national team. The Elephants have just suffered two consecutive defeats, bringing their recent form to just one win in their last five matches. Their last result was a 1-2 loss to Norway on June 30. The team's full schedule and upcoming fixtures are available on our fixtures page.
The technical staff must now prepare for the next phase of the World Cup campaign with a squad that fans can view via our squad. The standings position, key for the tournament's progression, is updated live on standings. The Elephants' next match is scheduled for October 15, 2026, a date that is approaching fast as the team seeks to regain a steady course.
