Team profile: Ivory Coast
Despite this being the former French colony’s first trip to the World Cup finals, they undoubtedly have the strike power to achieve greatness. Many of their players play in Europe’s best leagues, and many more could join them should the Elephants play to their potential.
Published On 4 Jun 2006
FIFA Ranking: 32
Coach: Henri Michel
Key players: Didier Drogba, Bonaventure Kalou, Aruna Dindane
World Cup record: First appearance
Qualifying route: Won African Group 3
Key question: Can The Elephants become the first African team to reach the semi-finals?
Squad:
| Goalkeepers | # |
| Jean-Jacques Tizie | 1 |
| Gerard Gnanhouan | 16 |
| Boubacar Barry Copa | 23 |
| Defenders | |
| Etienne Arthur Boka | 2 |
| Abib Kolo Toure | 4 |
| Blaise Kouassi | 6 |
| Abdoulaye Meite | 12 |
| Marc Zoro | 13 |
| Cyrille Domoraud | 17 |
| Emmanuel Eboue | 21 |
| Midfielders | |
| Kanga Gauthier Akale | 3 |
| Didier Zokora | 5 |
| Emerse Fae | 7 |
| Gilles Yapi Yapo | 10 |
| Abdoul Kader Keita | 18 |
| Yaya Toure | 19 |
| Guy Roland Demel | 20 |
| Romaric Koffi | 22 |
| Forwards | |
| Bonaventure Kalou | 8 |
| Arouna Kone | 9 |
| Didier Drogba | 11 |
| Bakari Kone | 14 |
| Aruna Dindane | 15 |
Group matches:
v Argentina, 19:00 GMT, Saturday 10th June – Hamburg
v Netherlands, 16:00 GMT, Friday 16th June – Stuttgart
v Serbia & Montenegro, 19:00 GMT, Wednesday 21st June – Munich
Source: Al Jazeera