The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) honored the national U17 girls' and boys' teams on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, for their outstanding qualification for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in their respective categories. An emotional and pride-filled ceremony was held at the Federation's headquarters in the presence of the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, in charge of Sports and Living Environment, Mr. Adjé Silas Metch.

On this occasion, FIF President Mr. Yacine Idriss Diallo enthusiastically praised the historic achievements of the young Elephants. “On behalf of the Executive Committee and in my own name, I want to express our pride. When we took charge of Ivorian football, we had 14 goals, one of which was the revival of youth football. Today, the results speak for themselves,” he stated.

Reflecting on the exceptional journey of both teams, Mr. Diallo highlighted the unprecedented nature of the girls’ qualification. “These young girls started from nothing. There wasn’t even a team at the beginning. Thanks to the support of the National Technical Department, we built this group that is now the pride of an entire nation. But this qualification should only be a step — the goal is to reach the U20 level and eventually the senior team,” he emphasized.

On the boys’ side, the qualification also carried strong symbolic weight. “It had been 12 years since Côte d’Ivoire last participated in a U17 World Cup — since the generation of Franck Kessié in 2013,” Mr. Diallo recalled. He commended the commitment of the coaching staff, the national technical department, and the youth football committee led by Mr. Koné Mamadou for the quality of their preparation and support to the young athletes. “We succeeded because you understood that football, like any work, requires discipline, commitment, and self-sacrifice,” he stressed.

Mr. Diallo concluded by looking ahead to the upcoming competitions: “Now that you’ve made it, the country expects you to perform honorably with high ambitions. The hardest part starts now.”

Taking the floor, Minister Adjé Silas Metch encouraged the young players to show determination, discipline, and love for their country. “In a few months, you will head to Morocco for the girls and Qatar for the boys. This is a historic first: two youth national teams qualifying simultaneously for a World Cup. Be worthy of this responsibility. Arm yourselves with a strong mentality and a winning spirit, with honor and dignity,” he urged.

This dual qualification marks a new era for Ivorian football, placing youth at the heart of the national sports project, and signaling a promising future for the country on the global stage.