Ivory Coast national football team have begun the latest stage of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Emerse Faé and his technical staff opening a training camp in Paris during the June international window.
The camp, which started on 24 May in the French capital, marks an important period in the build-up to the tournament as the Elephants seek to fine-tune their preparations before travelling to the World Cup.
Goalkeeper Alban Lafont and winger Simon Adingra were among the first players to report for duty, with images released by the Ivorian Football Federation showing the pair being welcomed by Faé and members of the coaching staff.
The June camp is expected to provide Ivory Coast with valuable preparation time as the squad works on fitness, tactical organisation and team cohesion ahead of the global tournament.
A major highlight of the schedule will be an international friendly against France national football team on 4 June in Nantes.
The fixture is likely to provide a significant test for the African side, with France entering the match as one of the strongest teams in world football and winners of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The encounter is expected to offer Faé and his coaching staff an opportunity to assess the readiness of the squad against elite opposition before the tournament begins.
Following the match against France, Ivory Coast are due to travel to the United States on 6 June to continue preparations.
The decision to organise part of the training programme abroad underlines the importance Côte d’Ivoire are placing on ensuring the squad is fully prepared for the World Cup.
The June international window is viewed as one of the final opportunities for national teams to refine systems, evaluate players and build momentum before the start of the competition.
For Côte d’Ivoire, the camp in Paris also provides a chance for players to reconnect after the club season, with the coaching staff aiming to sharpen performances and maintain focus ahead of the tournament.
The arrival of Adingra and Lafont is expected to be followed by the rest of the squad in the coming days as preparations intensify.
Faé and his technical team will hope the combination of training sessions and high-level international competition can help the Elephants enter the World Cup in strong condition.
The friendly against France is also likely to attract considerable attention given the stature of the opposition and the opportunity it presents for Côte d’Ivoire to measure themselves against one of football’s leading nations.
With the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continuing, Ivory Coast are now entering a decisive phase of their preparations as they seek to arrive at the tournament ready to compete on the global stage.
