Playing in Group C along with Argentina, Serbia and Montenegro and the Netherlands in FIFA World Cup 2006, Cote d’Ivoire qualified for the first time in the Finals after trying 7 times since 1974. In the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, they were hot on the heels of Tunisia for much of the time, but in the end failed to snatch the first place they needed to progress.

Cote d'Ivoire have achieved 6-0 victories no less than three times in their history, which is a record in world football statistics. The matches were against Mali (1985), Botswana (1992) and Niger (2000). The worst defeat of the team dates from 1971 when they went down 6-2 to Ghana.

Their strengths are in the attack and also defence but they lack in concentration throughout the field 100% of the time. They rank 41 in world ranking and are seen as the most threatening of the African teams and expected to reach the final 8 in Germany 2006.

The Star Man of the team is Kolo Toure.