The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. African teams, including Ivory Coast, will be among the participants.
Ivory Coast, the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, are set to play their opening match on June 15, 2026. The exact opponent and venue have not yet been confirmed by FIFA, as the official draw is expected to take place later in 2025 or early 2026.
Other African nations that have qualified for the 2026 World Cup include Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, and South Africa. The expanded format grants Africa nine direct slots, with a potential tenth via intercontinental playoffs.
The 2026 tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. Matches will be held across 16 cities in the three host nations, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
