Côte d'Ivoire Fans' Guide to FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia

Date April 9, 2026

Côte d'Ivoire fans' guide to FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia

The eyes of Côte d’Ivoire and the global football community will soon be fixed on Philadelphia as Les Éléphants take the pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ at Philadelphia Stadium.

With one of Africa’s most notable squads set to play Ecuador in the Philadelphia opener on Sunday, June 14, and take on Curaçao on Thursday, June 25, in Group E play, we invite Ivorian fans to discover why the City of Brotherly Love is the perfect host for the beautiful game.

A large crowd of fans walk toward Lincoln Financial Field

Lincoln Financial Field will be called Philadelphia Stadium for the FIFA World Cup games. ©Philadelphia Eagles

Cultural connections: Côte d’Ivoire & Philadelphia

Philadelphia and Côte d’Ivoire’s Grand-Bassam are both historic first capitals recognized as World Heritage Cities. However, the connections run deeper with the hundreds of Ivorians who have become part of the fabric of Philadelphia’s vibrant West African diaspora community—many immigrants living in West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia’s “Africatown” section—which takes center stage every June during the annual ODUNDE Festival.

A woman stands on stage and claps along to music in front of a large crowd.

Photo courtesy of VISIT PHILADELPHIA

Les Éléphants will call Philadelphia their primary home throughout the 2026 World Cup as well, designating Subaru Park and WSFS Bank Sportsplex in Chester, Pa.— home of MLS side Philadelphia Union—as their base camp and training site.

A taste of West Africa in Philadelphia

Looking for a taste of the Ivory Coast and other West African cuisine while in town? Several restaurants—especially in the western and southwestern sections of Philadelphia—feature dishes like Attiéké, Alloco, and Foutou that feature traditional ingredients like cassava, plantains, and/or grilled fish.

West and Southwest Philadelphia restaurants serving up a taste of coastal West African food include Le Baobab (5353 Woodland Ave.), Le Mandingue African Restaurant (three locations, including 6620 Woodland Ave.), Kilimandjaro Restaurant (4301 Chestnut St.), and Nene International Kitchen (6451 Grays Ave.).

FIFA World Cup 2026™ schedule in Philadelphia

Côte d’Ivoire—back in the World Cup for the fourth time—is looking to advance out of the group stage for the first time. For the Ivorians, the path to glory runs directly through the heart of Philadelphia.

Lincoln Financial Field—temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the duration of the tournament—will be the epicenter of the action with these highly-anticipated matches:

Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Group E | Sunday, June 14
Brazil vs. Haiti | Group C | Friday, June 19
France vs. Iraq | Group I | Monday, June 22
Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire | Group E | Thursday, June 25
Croatia vs. Ghana | Group L | Saturday, June 27
Match 89 | Round of 16 | Saturday, July 4

Philadelphia will celebrate throughout the tournament with the first-ever FIFA Fan Festival™ at Lemon Hill within the city’s vast Fairmount Park—the largest landscaped park system in the United States.

A large crowd gathers in front of a stage airing the World Cup games

This citywide celebration of soccer, a.k.a. football, will span the entire 39-day tournament, from June 11 to July 19.

According to organizers, “Fans will enjoy live match broadcasts, music, cultural performances, local food vendors, and interactive activities in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.”

We hope this guide helps you feel right at home in the City of Brotherly Love. Whether you are here for the matches or the atmosphere or all of the above, we wish you an unforgettable stay.

Go Côte d’Ivoire!