Ivory Coast see 'no limits' after reaching World Cup knockouts for first time
Football
By
AFP
| Jun 26, 2026
Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe believes the Elephants can keep on going at the World Cup after beating Curacao 2-0 on Thursday to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
"We are delighted and proud to be the first Ivory Coast team to reach the knockout rounds. Everyone has worked hard for this and we have got our reward," said Villarreal's Pepe, who scored both goals against Curacao in Philadelphia, one in each half.
"We are setting no limits. We have huge potential. Now we are into the knockout rounds so we will see what happens."
Ivory Coast finish in second place in Group E with six points, only behind table-toppers Germany on head-to-head -- they beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opening game before losing 2-1 to the Germans.
This Ivorian team has now achieved something that the previous great side featuring the likes of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure never managed to do.
READ MORE
University lecturers vow to hold on strike
KMPDU begins CBA talks with government
Mvurya says Sports Act amendment will help to bring major reforms
Coe says Kenya fully supports preps for 2029 Nairobi event
Kenya hosting 2029 World Championships will help doping fight, says Coe
Why 2027 Beijing World Championships are crucial for Nairobi
No deal, no classes as lecturers reject government offer
Over 700,000 students hit as lecturers strike paralyses universities
How key players contributed to Nairobi winning bid for world meet
Before this year they had been to three World Cups, between 2006 and 2014, but never went beyond the group stage.
They will now head to Dallas for a last-32 tie next Tuesday against the runner-up in Group I, which will be either France or Norway.
"We are really pleased. We will celebrate this and enjoy it a bit before starting to prepare for what's to come," said their French-born coach, Emerse Fae.
"Not everything was perfect but we have qualified and the victory will be good for morale."