Emerse Fae departs as Ivory Coast coach

Emerse Fae has left his role as the coach of the Ivory Coast national football team following the expiration of his contract, which was not renewed, according to a statement from the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Friday. The contract of Mr. Emerse Fae, head coach of the Ivory Coast national team, expired on July 31, 2026, and will not be renewed.

Fae had taken over as head coach midway through the Africa Cup of Nations tournament two years ago, after the dismissal of Frenchman Jean-Louis Gasset during the group stage. Initially appointed on an interim basis, he was later confirmed in the role after successfully leading the team to its third continental title with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final.

Under Fae’s leadership, the Ivory Coast national team also qualified for the 2026 World Cup, achieving their first knockout stage appearance before being eliminated by Norway in the last 32. The FIF expressed appreciation for Fae’s contributions, noting that the progress and results achieved during his tenure would remain "an important part of the recent history of Ivorian football."

The federation announced that Fae’s successor as coach would be revealed at a later date.