### Introduction
On December 5, Côte d'Ivoire will learn its group stage opponents for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The official draw will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for the African champions’ return to the world’s grandest football competition.
### Background
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the expanded 48-team format, the draw becomes particularly strategic, as groups will hold four teams each. Côte d'Ivoire, one of Africa’s most promising squads, awaits to see which path it will face in the group stage.
### The Best Possible Draw
Analysts consider a favorable draw one where Côte d'Ivoire avoids international heavyweights such as Brazil, France, or Argentina. A best-case scenario could pair the Elephants with teams like:
- **Slovakia**
- **Qatar**
- **Panama**
Such opponents would give Côte d'Ivoire a strong chance to advance to the knockout phase, especially given its solid core of players competing in top European leagues.
### The Worst Possible Draw
Conversely, the most difficult draw could put Côte d'Ivoire alongside tournament favorites. A challenging group might look like:
- **Argentina**
- **Netherlands**
- **South Korea**
In such a case, the Elephants would face immense pressure early in the competition, needing tactical discipline and individual brilliance to progress.
### Team Outlook
Under coach Emerse Faé, Côte d'Ivoire has shown progress with a well-balanced mix of experienced figures and emerging talent. Players like Sébastien Haller, Seko Fofana, and Simon Adingra bring both resilience and creativity, making the team capable of surprising any opponent.
> “Our goal is to go as far as possible. We have confidence, and we know what we’re capable of,” said a team spokesperson ahead of the draw.
### Conclusion
Côte d'Ivoire’s World Cup journey begins with the upcoming draw in Washington. Whether faced with favorable or formidable opponents, the African champions will seek to make their mark on the 2026 tournament.
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**Author’s summary:** Côte d'Ivoire awaits the World Cup draw in Washington, hoping to land a manageable group that could pave the way to a successful 2026 campaign.
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Foot Africa — 2025-11-26