Emerson Fae Questions Ivory Coast Exit After AFCON and World Cup Success

Posted : 03 August 2026

Former Ivory Coast head coach Emerson Fae has expressed disappointment after the Ivorian Football Federation decided not to renew his contract despite a successful spell with the national team.

Fae's contract expired on July 31, bringing an end to his tenure with the Elephants after guiding the West African nation through one of the most successful periods in its recent history.

Speaking after his departure, the former coach questioned the decision and insisted that the progress made under his leadership should have been enough to justify a new contract.

"We were 51st in the FIFA rankings, and today we are 31st. We won the AFCON and qualified for the World Cup. That is not insignificant," Fae said.

The former midfielder was widely praised after leading Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title in one of the most memorable campaigns in the country's history. He later secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ensuring the Elephants returned to football's biggest stage.

Under Fae's leadership, Ivory Coast also made significant progress in the FIFA World Rankings, climbing 20 places from 51st to 31st. The improvement reflected the team's consistent performances in competitive matches and reinforced their status among Africa's leading football nations.

Despite those achievements, the Ivorian Football Federation chose not to extend his deal when it expired at the end of July, bringing an unexpected end to his time in charge.

The decision has generated discussion among Ivorian football supporters, with many questioning why a coach who delivered major trophies and World Cup qualification was not retained.

Fae's comments suggest he believes his accomplishments were not given the recognition they deserved. Winning the AFCON and securing a place at the World Cup are regarded as two of the biggest achievements for any African national team coach, making his departure one of the most surprising coaching changes on the continent.

The federation has yet to publicly explain the reasons behind its decision, while attention now turns to the appointment of a new coach to lead the Elephants into the World Cup and future continental competitions.

Fae leaves the role with an impressive record, having restored confidence within the squad, improved Ivory Coast's international standing and delivered success on both the African and global stage.

Emerson Fae Questions Ivory Coast Exit After AFCON and World Cup Success

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