The Côte d'Ivoire national football team says its current squad is more united than the 2006 golden generation ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This shift in team chemistry is central to the squad's ambition to reach the knockout stage. Surpassing the achievements of previous eras would mark a significant milestone for the nation's footballing legacy during the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

Coach Emerse Fae said the squad consists of 26 players [1]. The team is currently preparing for a pre-game match against Germany as part of their lead-up to the summer competition.

Members of the team emphasized a level of cohesion that they believe exceeds the standards set by the 2006 [2] squad. "We're More United," the team said in a video released by FIFA [3].

The focus on unity comes as the team seeks to break new ground in the tournament. By targeting the knockout rounds, the squad hopes to translate their internal stability into a deeper run in the competition than the 2006 [2] generation achieved.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a critical opportunity for the team to validate this perceived growth in unity. With a full roster of 26 players [1] ready for the challenge, the team is positioning itself as a contender capable of advancing beyond the initial group stages.

“"We're More United"”

By explicitly comparing themselves to the 2006 golden generation, Côte d'Ivoire is attempting to build a psychological narrative of superiority over their own history. If the team reaches the knockout stages, it will validate the claim that squad harmony is a more effective driver of success than the individual star power that characterized their previous era.