The Ivory Coast national team won their last match 2-0 against Curaçao on June 27, 2026, and qualified for the World Cup knockout stage. Coach Emerse Faé sharply criticized former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger's comments on the style of play of African football teams.

What happened?

Bastian Schweinsteiger described Ivory Coast's football as « a bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics ». These comments have been widely criticized for perpetuating racist stereotypes.

Why it matters for Ivory Coast?

Emerse Faé said he couldn't change what Schweinsteiger or other people say, but he would continue to show that the Elephants don't just play physically, but also tactically and technically.

What comes next?

The Elephants will face their next opponent with confidence, after their win against Curaçao. Here are the team's recent results: | Date | Opponent | Result | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-06-04 | France | 2-1 |

The team's current form is 3 wins, 0 draws, and 2 losses in their last 5 matches.