“I love Ghana but I believe Ivory Coast have the potential to reach the 2026 World Cup final” – France legend Desailly

Former French international Marcel Desailly has predicted that the African side to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be the reigning Africa Cup of Nations titleholders.

Desailly suggests that with the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, African nations now have a genuine chance to compete for a place in the championship match.

The former Chelsea defender shared this view in Abidjan as part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola, a celebration that has enthralled supporters throughout Africa.

Addressing the press, he identified Côte d’Ivoire as the continent’s most credible candidate to advance to the final of the 2026 global tournament.

“Remember statistically Morocco managed to reach the semi-final during the past World Cup. We are now hoping now that we are nine African teams in the system that one of them will reach the final so maybe Ivory Coast.” Desailly said.

“You don’t know even though I love Ghana to go to the final I believe that Ivorians have the potential to reach the final and the hope and the belief gives you know an excitement and to every single fan that loves the game because the game is absolutely magnificent.”

Côte d’Ivoire will be aiming to progress beyond the World Cup group stage for the first time, having fallen short in their three previous appearances in 2006, 2010, and 2014.

The Black Stars of Ghana also harbour a major ambition: to advance to the semi-finals in 2026, building on their historic run to the quarter-finals in South Africa back in 2010.

Desailly himself has deep ties to Ghana. Born in Accra to Ghanaian parents, he moved to France at the age of four with his mother and stepfather. He later chose to represent the French national team, earning over 100 caps and playing a pivotal role in securing France’s first World Cup triumph in 1998.