Key Takeaways:
- Ivory Coast earned their place at the 2026 World Cup after a 3-0 win against Kenya in their final qualifier
- Franck Kessié, Yann Diomande, and Amad Diallo provided the goals to secure first place in the group with 26 points
- The CAF playoff semifinals will take place in Morocco between November 13 and 16 to decide contenders for the intercontinental playoff
Ivory Coast Secure World Cup Berth
Ivory Coast have confirmed their return to football’s global stage by booking a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. After missing out on the previous two editions in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), the Elephants made a statement in their final African qualifier, overpowering Kenya 3-0 on home soil.
Ivory Coast delivered an impressive World Cup qualifying run 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LjkdXyTj7c
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 14, 2025
Match Analysis: Goals and Key Moments
The hosts began with intensity, breaking the deadlock in just the seventh minute. Franck Kessié found the net following a slick assist from Amad Diallo. After the interval, Yann Diomande doubled Ivory Coast’s lead in the 54th minute, converting a pass from Ghislain Konan. With six minutes remaining, Amad Diallo capped off the night, scoring to seal a comprehensive 3-0 result.
| Minute | Scorer | Assist | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Franck Kessié | Amad Diallo | 1-0 |
| 54 | Yann Diomande | Ghislain Konan | 2-0 |
| 84 | Amad Diallo | – | 3-0 |
Standings and Upcoming CAF Playoffs
This victory ensured Ivory Coast finished at the top of their qualifying group with 26 points, edging out Gabon by a single point. Gabon, second in the group, will meet Nigeria in a semifinal playoff as they attempt to secure their maiden World Cup appearance. Cameroon will contest the other semifinal against DR Congo.
Both playoff semifinals, as well as the subsequent final, are scheduled to be held in Morocco between November 13 and 16. These matches will be decided in a single-leg format. The winner of the playoff final will progress to the intercontinental playoff, vying for one of the final two berths at World Cup 2026.
