The Ivorian manager remains optimistic about his team’s future in the tournament, asserting that promising moments indicate a chance for progression to the next round. This sentiment follows a narrow defeat against Germany on Saturday, June 20, during the second matchday of the 2026 World Cup.
Ivory Coast almost achieved a surprising result but ultimately lost 2–1 after taking an early lead. Despite the disappointment, Emerse Fae emphasized the positive aspects of the match, highlighting their competitive performance. “It was a top-class match. We opened the scoring and had our moments. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to score a second goal,” he stated.
Fae noted the challenge posed by Germany, acknowledging that “this great footballing nation came back to win the match in the dying moments.” He expressed pride in the team’s honor and performance, stating, “We lost with honour and put in a fine performance. Against a team like Germany, you’re never safe. That’s football.”
Looking ahead, Ivory Coast will face Curaçao in their third and final group stage match on June 25, with hopes of securing qualification still alive.