After a 12-year absence from Africa's biggest women's football competition, Côte d'Ivoire return to the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 determined to re-establish themselves among the continent's leading nations.

The Elephants secured an unexpected route back to the finals following the expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.

Now guided by experienced French coach Reynald Pedros and inspired by prolific striker Habibou Ouedraogo, Côte d'Ivoire believe they have the talent to challenge Africa's established powers once again.

Nickname: The Elephants

Appearances: 4

Last appearance: 2014

Best finish: Third place (2014)

FIFA Ranking: 72nd (12 June 2026)

CAF Ranking: 7th (12 June 2026)

Head Coach: Reynald Pedros

Road to the Tournament

Côte d'Ivoire's journey to the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 took an unusual turn.

The Elephants were knocked out in the final qualifying round after a fiercely contested tie against Senegal. Neither side managed to score across the two legs, with Senegal eventually prevailing 5-4 on penalties to deny the Ivorians automatic qualification.

However, a major decision by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) transformed their fortunes.

Following the expansion of the Women's AFCON from 12 to 16 participating teams, CAF allocated the additional places based on the FIFA Women's World Ranking.

Ranked among the four highest-placed teams that had narrowly missed qualification, Côte d'Ivoire earned a place at the finals, completing their return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2014.

The Coach: Reynald Pedros

Former Morocco head coach Reynald Pedros was appointed in January 2025 to lead Côte d'Ivoire into a new era.

The Frenchman arrived with an outstanding reputation built during a successful coaching career, highlighted by guiding Olympique Lyonnais to the UEFA Women's Champions League title in 2018.

Pedros has quickly introduced a clear footballing philosophy centred on structured possession, intelligent movement and attacking football.

His teams are encouraged to build patiently from the back while maintaining high levels of tactical discipline, coordinated pressing and rapid transitions whenever possession is lost.

Equally important has been his emphasis on developing versatile players capable of adapting to different tactical situations and exploiting wide areas to create attacking opportunities.

His appointment has injected fresh belief into a squad eager to restore Côte d'Ivoire's standing in African women's football.

Player to Watch

Habibou Ouedraogo (Forward)

Habibou Ouedraogo arrives in Morocco as one of the continent's most exciting attacking talents.

The ASEC Mimosas striker was named Best Player of the 2025 CAF Women's Champions League, underlining her growing reputation as one of Africa's elite forwards.

Her goalscoring record has been equally impressive.

Ouedraogo finished as the Ivorian top-flight's leading scorer in successive seasons, netting 33 goals in 2024 before improving that tally to 39 in 2025.

She also claimed the Best Player award at the 2025 UFOA-B Women's Championship and helped ASEC Mimosas reach the CAF Women's Champions League final, scoring three goals during the competition despite her side's narrow 2-1 defeat to Morocco's AS FAR.

Powerful, quick and clinical in front of goal, Ouedraogo combines intelligent movement with outstanding finishing and has developed into Côte d'Ivoire's biggest attacking threat.

Her ability to influence matches could prove decisive during the tournament.

Côte d'Ivoire at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON

The 2026 edition marks Côte d'Ivoire's return to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Their greatest achievement came during that last participation, when the Elephants secured a third-place finish to record the best result in the country's history.

Since then, the team has endured a lengthy absence from the continental finals, making this return an important milestone in the continued development of women's football in Côte d'Ivoire.

Did You Know?

Further evidence of Côte d'Ivoire's growing influence in African women's football came at the CAF Awards 2025, where Elephants midfielder Ami Diallo was shortlisted among the three finalists for the CAF Women's Interclub Player of the Year award.

The honour was eventually won by Morocco's Sanaa Mssoudy.

TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2026 Outlook

Côte d'Ivoire head to Morocco with renewed optimism and genuine ambition.

Their return to the continental stage comes at a time when a talented new generation is emerging, supported by experienced players and guided by one of Europe's most respected coaches.

The attacking quality of Habibou Ouedraogo provides reason for confidence, while Pedros' tactical expertise offers hope that the Elephants can compete with Africa's strongest nations.

Having waited more than a decade to return to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d'Ivoire are determined not simply to participate but to establish themselves once again among the continent's leading teams.

With momentum building and belief restored, the Elephants will hope Morocco 2026 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the country's women's football story.