EXCLUSIVE: Ivorian Football Chief Diallo Backs Fae, Aiming for a Strong Performance at the World Cup

The 42-year-old coach faced significant backlash after the Elephants’ lacklustre performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they were knocked out by Egypt in the quarter-finals.

However, Fae has since regained confidence, achieving commendable results during the March international fixtures. The Ivory Coast showcased their prowess with a resounding 4-0 win over South Korea in Milton Keynes, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory against Scotland in Liverpool.

Diallo has reiterated his faith in the former Nantes and Nice midfielder, who previously guided the West Africans to victory in the 2023 AFCON, trusting him to lead the three-time African champions on the global stage.

He emphasised that the federation will ensure the team has the necessary resources and backing to compete effectively at the World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

“It’s crucial that he continues to build on this solid foundation. As the president of the federation, I will guarantee that he receives the comprehensive support needed for success.”

“We will supply him with the essential resources and the right players to enable the team to perform at its peak on the world stage.”

“Our objective is straightforward: to progress as far as possible in the World Cup. However, we must remain humble, stay concentrated, and keep working diligently to meet our ambitions.”

President Diallo expressed particular pride in Ivory Coast’s emphatic win against South Korea, who reached the semi-finals in the 2002 World Cup.

Nonetheless, he urged caution, noting that the team remains a work in progress if they are to make a significant impact at the global event.

“Facing one of the top teams in Asia was an excellent opportunity for us. They are positioned 25th in the world rankings, while we are 34th, so we knew it would be a challenging match.”

“We are still in the early stages of our preparations. That was a promising test, but we haven’t reached our full potential yet. There’s still a considerable amount of work ahead of us, and we must continue to push ourselves to improve.”

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. Our current focus is on working hard and steadily progressing so we are completely prepared when the World Cup kicks off.”

When asked if the victories against South Korea and Scotland would bring solace to the people of Ivory Coast, who were left disheartened by the team’s performance in Morocco, he stated: “As president of the federation, you cannot be led by public sentiment. It’s essential to respect how fans feel, but above all, focus on your responsibilities.”

“In Morocco, we gave it our all, but we ultimately fell short of winning the trophy.”

“Following that, it was crucial to assess our performance and make the necessary adjustments to move forward.”

“We are still learning, and each day we are striving to enhance the team. Our role is to deliver the best possible results for the national team and, most significantly, for the passionate supporters of Ivory Coast.”

Before their World Cup campaign, Ivory Coast will face two-time world champions France on June 4th in Nantes.

The team is positioned in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador, and newcomers Curacao. Fae’s squad will begin their campaign against Ecuador on June 14th at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.