Côte d’Ivoire have their sights set on a second FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance
The Elephants are looking to impress at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations
Washington Spirit forward Kouassi is their key attacking threat
The wait has lasted more than a decade. On 27 July, Côte d’Ivoire will revive their FIFA Women’s World Cup™ ambitions when they return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which also serves as a qualifier for the women’s global showpiece. Back at the continental competition for the first time since 2014, the Elephants have two clear objectives: to lift the trophy and finish among Africa’s top four to secure direct qualification for the .
For their long-awaited return, head coach Reynald Pedros will rely on a squad he has carefully moulded over recent months. Rosemonde Kouassi is central to their hopes. The forward, who plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League has established herself as one of the Ivorian side’s leading figures. The experience she has gained with Premiere Ligue outfit Fleury in France and in the United States – together with her pace and cutting edge in the final third – could prove crucial in a competition likely to be decided by the finest of margins.
With the tournament set to get under way 26 July, the Côte d’Ivoire international is brimming with confidence. Having spent almost two months together, the Elephants have had ample time to fine-tune their preparations and become a more cohesive unit. “We’re in a positive frame of mind. Everything has gone well since the start of the training camp,” Kouassi revealed in an exclusive interview with FIFA.
That continuity is one of the team’s main strengths. The squad has remained largely unchanged in recent months, enabling the players to develop greater chemistry both on and off the pitch. “We’ve been playing together for several months now; we’re getting to know each other better and better. I think that, with the players we’ve got, we’re capable of achieving great things,” stressed the star player.
Côte d’Ivoire also head into the WAFCON with a bone to pick. In Group B, the Elephants will want to get their tusks stuck into familiar foes Tanzania. The sides met in September 2023 in the first qualifying round for the 2024 edition, which was eventually staged in 2025. After Côte d’Ivoire won the first leg 2-0, Tanzania overturned the deficit in the return fixture to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate before prevailing 4-2 on penalties. That memory will inevitably add extra motivation when they face off again. Before that grudge match is scheduled, the Ivorians are also set to take on Burkina Faso and 2022 WAFCON champions South Africa in the group stage.
The Women’s World Cup in Brazil may be the ultimate goal, but Kouassi is keeping her attention firmly on the challenge ahead. “For now, we’re only focused on the WAFCON,” she insisted. This approach reflects the Elephants’ determination to keep their feet on the ground by taking things one match at a time.
The significance of their campaign, however, extends far beyond on-pitch results. Côte d’Ivoire have appeared at the FIFA Women’s World Cup only once, in 2015; returning to the global stage would represent a major step forward in the development of women’s football in the West African nation. Kouassi has no doubt about the impact qualification could have: “It would inspire even more young girls who dream of one day wearing the national-team shirt. We want to be role models for them.”
The prospect of playing on the world’s greatest stage in Brazil makes that ambition even more exciting. “Playing at a World Cup is a dream in and of itself, but doing so in Brazil – a country that lives and breathes the beautiful game – would be even more special,” the forward explained.
Before turning their thoughts to Brazil, however, the Elephants must first draw inspiration from their previous continental success. They achieved their best-ever WAFCON finish in 2014, taking third place two years after a group-stage exit on their continental debut. Kouassi and her team-mates are determined to write a new chapter in Ivorian women’s football history, 12 years after the country’s last appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Sources: FIFA Official
