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Just a month ago, advancing in the World Cup for the Ivory Coast was a fever dream.
‘Les Elephants’, who are currently staying in Wilmington, were projected to finish a distant third in their group, with slim odds of advancing. They had never gotten out of the tournament’s group stage in three previous World Cups.

And yet, after a 2-0 win over Curacao in Philadelphia on June 25, the team will advance to the round of 32, a historic feat for the nation.
Ivory Coast needed to win or draw, and for Ecuador not to win by two-plus goals to advance to the next round. The crowd of 68,324, mostly dressed in Les Elephants’ traditional orange, watched closely as updates from the Germany-Ecuador game were diplayed.
“It gives us so much pride to be able to [advance],” midfielder Christ Inao Oulai said. “It’s something the previous generation couldn’t do, so it gives us so much pride to be able to turn this new page.”

A ceremony is held at Hotel duPont to welcome the Ivory Coast national soccer team, Côte d’Ivoire, as they stay in Wilmington for the World Cup on June 7, 2026.
With Ivory Coast’s win, the team will now extend their stay at Wilmington’s Hotel DuPont. The hotel will serve as the team’s “base camp” for as long as they continue to compete in the tournament. Their next game will take place on June 30 in Dallas.

The connection between the Ivory Coast and the First State is now cemented in history, with Delaware taking part in the team’s landmark run.
It was reflected in the lots, with Ivory Coast fans from places far and wide expressing knowledge of Delaware. Some immediately referred to “Joe Biden” when asked about the state, while others recognized its proximity to Philadelphia.
Les Elephants’ coach Emerse Fae also spoke highly of the state, just about a month into their stay.
“We were proud of the community in Wilmington, who treated us as brothers,” Fae said. He even gave a special shoutout to the Hotel DuPont.

“The hotel and its staff, especially, treated us with great kindness,” he said. “We will be a little sad to be leaving Philadelphia, and [potentially] Wilmington.”
The team will take on the loser between France and Norway in the next round, likely to be underdogs against both. Once again, however, they’re prepared to beat the odds.
“If you aspire to go all the way, it doesn’t matter who you’re facing,” Pepe said. “We’ll just try to make the match as it is, and try to win.”

Ivory Coast’s Nicolas Pepe celebrates scoring their first goal with Yan Diomande June 25 at Philadelphia Stadium.
Coming into the matchup, Ivory Coast knew they would have a challenge on their hands. Curacao, on paper, appeared to be an easier opponent, but the Blue Wave had hung tough with Ecuador just days prior in a 0-0 tie. Ivory Coast barely snuck by Ecuador in their first game in Philadelphia, winning 1-0.

“The key will be to bring the same level of commitment we showed against Ecuador and Germany,” Elephants coach Fae said pregame. “If we respect our opponent, we’ll have a good shot at advancing.”
That respect was surely on display, reflected in the team’s efficiency on offense. Ivory Coast possessed the ball for around 65% of the game, using their precise passing to inch their way down the pitch against a stout Curacao defense.
“We didn’t have too many chances today, but when we did, we managed to put them away,” midfielder Nicholas Pepe said. “We’ve really been working on that.”
Pepe was the star of the day, scoring both of the team’s goals. But both goals came on incredible passes, creating space for him to strike.

“Those two goals were served on a platter by my teammates,” Pepe said at a postgame presser. “This accomplishment is a team effort.”
The Blue Wave didn’t go away, with multiple shot opportunities throughout. But what has been one of the tournament’s better defenses held up, applying pressure when needed.
Oulai pointed to the team’s incredible bond as a huge reason for success, allowing them to stick together throughout Curacao’s challenges.
“This is a team for life, we are all united,” he said. “We’ll move forward and win as that.”

Ivory Coast fans react in the stands during World Cup win over Curacao.
Over the course of the World Cup, Philadelphia has hosted two of the largest fan bases in the world: Brazil and France. Curacao and Ivory Coast obviously pale in comparison to the size of these teams’ followings. But what was missing in numbers, could be felt in the energy from local fans.

Ivory Coast fans Joseph Kamara and Ebenezer Doe drove from South Jersey for the game, on Doe’s birthday. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to see their team play, while many of their friends and family watched from home.
“Some people who live by the Coast were unable to make it here today,” Kamara said. “We are not special, but we are blessed to be here.”
Even in the loss, Curacao fans supported their team throughout. A large contingent wearing vibrant blue took over the stadium’s East end zone, and many fans packed pregame tailgates.
Charlston Monsanto has lived in Philadelphia for almost 40 years, after growing up in Curacao. He explained pre-game that this was a huge day for those based in the country, which has a population of just 158,006.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment for the island to be here,” he said. “This here is an investment in our people and our culture.”
Monsanto organized a tailgate get-together of about 50 Curacao fans, with some making the 1,954 mile trip from the country itself to see their team. Dancing, singing, and the smell of barbecue filled the air with a sense of joy and pride.
“There are probably three or four thousand people here from a country that has such a small population,” he said. “It shows how proud we are of this team.”
Adam Denn is an intern reporter for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at apdenn@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ivory Coast celebrates advancing for first time in World Cup History
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