Supporters of Cote d'Ivoire cheer for the team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
ABIDJAN, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after sailing past Kenya 3-0 in the final round of the African qualifiers on Tuesday.
Leading Group F with a one-point advantage over Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire needed a win to directly qualify for next year's global football showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Cote d'Ivoire captain Franck Kessie opened the scoring in the seventh minute, and Yan Diomande doubled the lead early in the second half.
Under heavy rain, Cote d'Ivoire scored a third from an Amad Diallo free kick with six minutes remaining.
After 10 qualifiers, Cote d'Ivoire tops the group with 26 points, heading to its fourth World Cup after 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa and Senegal are the other African teams to have also qualified directly for the 48-team World Cup. ■
Supporters of Cote d'Ivoire cheer for the team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Emmanuel Agbadou (R) of Cote d'Ivoire vies for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Supporters of Cote d'Ivoire cheer for the team before the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Yan Diomande of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Yan Diomande (L) of Cote d'Ivoire vies for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
Yan Diomande (C) of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates his goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 CAF Qualifiers Group F match between Cote d'Ivoire and Kenya in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Oct. 14, 2025. (Photo by Yvan Sonh/Xinhua)
