Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara hailed the national football team after they secured a historic first-ever knockout stage qualification at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Elephants defeated Curacao 2-0 in their final Group E match on June 25 at Philadelphia, propelling them into the round of 16.
Presidential Praise
In a post on X, President Ouattara congratulated the team, saying, "Bravo to our Elephants for this historic qualification to the second round of a FIFA World Cup final phase. Full speed ahead to the round of sixteen." The victory marked a milestone for the African side, which had never advanced beyond the group stage in previous tournaments.
The Decisive Match
Ivory Coast dominated from the start, controlling possession and pressing high. Their early pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Nicolas Pepe finished a fluid midfield move with a calm strike past Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room. Curacao, needing a win to keep their knockout hopes alive, struggled to break through a disciplined Ivorian defense led by Ousmane Diomande and Odilon Kossounou. A long-range attempt from Jurien Gaari was their only notable chance in the first half.
Pepe's Brace Seals Victory
After the break, Ivory Coast maintained control, closing down Curacao's attacking options and dominating midfield. In the 64th minute, Pepe combined smartly on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful strike that flew past Room for his second goal, effectively sealing the contest. According to Opta Analyst, Pepe became just the fifth player to score more than once for Ivory Coast at a men's FIFA World Cup.
Game Management and Group Standings
Ivory Coast shifted into game management mode, introducing fresh legs to maintain control and shut down any late resistance. Curacao pushed forward but struggled to create clear openings as frustration set in. The result gave Ivory Coast six points in Group E, finishing behind Germany, who suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Ecuador in the parallel fixture. The Elephants' qualification is a landmark achievement for African football and a moment of national pride for Ivory Coast.
