Faé: The Ivorian players showed their true character

Emerse Faé praised Ivory Coast’s tactical discipline and collective effort after they beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opening World Cup 2026 group game.

Faé said his players knew the match would be difficult against an organised Ecuador side, who put them under pressure at times. He added that Ivory Coast kept to the plan until the final whistle and were rewarded for their patience late on.

The Ivory Coast coach also highlighted the impact of the substitutes, saying those who came off the bench added fresh energy and quality. He said they helped maintain pressure on the opposition and played a part in the winning goal.

Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal in stoppage time at the end of the second half, giving the African side three points from their first game of the tournament.

Faé finished by warning that the job is only starting. He said Ivory Coast must stay calm and keep their focus as they prepare for the next matches.