Ivory Coast Vs Gambia Liv..

Gambia will face Ivory Coast at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, desperately seeking their first away victory in the campaign to revive their dwindling hopes. The Scorpions suffered a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture back in 2023, with Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana securing the win for the Elephants. A victory for Ivory Coast this time around would extend their lead at the top of Group F to four points, further solidifying their position as frontrunners in the race for World Cup qualification.

Ivory Coast, aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, continued their impressive qualifying run with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burundi at the Stade d'honneur de Meknes last Friday. The decisive moment came early in the match, with Evann Guessand—making only his second appearance for the national team—scoring in the 11th minute. This result extended Burundi’s miserable run of form, marking their fourth consecutive defeat across all competitions.

The Elephants’ head coach, Emerse Fae, has every reason to be satisfied with his team’s performances this year, especially after bouncing back from a disappointing penalty-shootout loss to Burkina Faso in the 2025 African Nations Championship playoffs. That defeat was particularly painful as Burkina Faso had overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to eliminate Ivory Coast. However, Fae’s men have since regrouped impressively, remaining unbeaten in the World Cup qualifiers.

With four wins and one draw from five matches, Ivory Coast sit comfortably atop Group F, one point clear of second-placed Gabon. Their defensive resilience has been a cornerstone of their success; they are one of only two teams yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers while simultaneously netting an impressive 13 times. This balance between defensive solidity and attacking efficiency makes them formidable opponents for any team in the group.

In stark contrast, Gambia’s qualifying campaign has been marred by defensive frailties, which were glaringly exposed in their recent 3-3 draw against Kenya at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Kenya mounting a dramatic comeback after falling two goals behind early in the second half. Michael Olunga and Mohammed Bajaber struck to level the score, only for Musa Barrow to restore Gambia’s lead with his second goal of the game. However, in a heartbreaking twist, Central Coast Mariners midfielder William Wilson scored deep into stoppage time to snatch a point for Kenya.

This result followed a mixed run of form for Gambia. In June 2024, they ended a two-game losing streak in Group F with a dominant 5-1 victory over Seychelles, only to suffer another setback three days later in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Gabon at the Stade de Franceville. These inconsistent performances have left them languishing in fifth place in the group standings with just four points from five matches. Their defensive record is particularly concerning, having conceded 12 goals while scoring the same number—a statistic that underscores their struggles at the back.

The Scorpions are only above bottom-placed Seychelles, who remain one of four teams yet to register a single point in the qualifiers. For Gambia, a victory against Ivory Coast could reignite their faint hopes of securing a historic first-ever World Cup appearance. However, history is not on their side—they have lost their last four encounters against the Elephants, conceding 13 goals without reply since their last victory over Ivory Coast, a 3-2 triumph way back in November 1984.

This upcoming clash presents a daunting challenge for Gambia, who must find a way to contain Ivory Coast’s potent attack while capitalizing on their own attacking opportunities. The Elephants, on the other hand, will be eager to maintain their flawless defensive record while exploiting Gambia’s defensive vulnerabilities. With so much at stake, this match promises to be a compelling encounter between a team striving for consistency and another determined to cement its place as a dominant force in African football.

For Ivory Coast, another victory would not only edge them closer to World Cup qualification but also reinforce their status as one of Africa’s strongest teams. For Gambia, avoiding defeat would be a morale-boosting result, but overcoming their historical struggles against the Elephants will require a performance of exceptional discipline and determination.

The stage is set for an intriguing battle, with both teams aware of the implications this match holds for their respective World Cup dreams. Ivory Coast will rely on their defensive strength and attacking firepower, while Gambia must find a way to shore up their backline and take their chances when they come. Whether the Scorpions can defy the odds or if the Elephants will continue their march toward qualification remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this encounter will be a pivotal moment in Group F’s qualifying campaign.