40 days to the World Cup: Ivory Coast returns 12 years after heartbreaking loss
TL;DR
Ivory Coast is set to return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, following a heartbreaking exit in 2014. The team narrowly missed advancing from their group, despite a crucial equalizer from Wilfried Bony.
Key points
- Ivory Coast returns to the World Cup after 12 years
- Last appearance was in 2014 World Cup
- Wilfried Bony scored a crucial equalizer in 2014
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.
The final knockout round place came down to the final matchday in Group C at the 2014 World Cup. A draw against Greece would likely help Ivory Coast advance with Japan needing a high-scoring win over group leader Colombia to overcome a goal-difference tiebreaker.
The Ivorians were playing in their third straight World Cup, but were unable to advance out of the group in two previous tournaments. They were on the brink, and Wilfried Bony's 74th-minute equalizer looked to be the goal that would put them through.
Sports can give hope and also take it away.
In the 93rd minute, Ivory Coast’ Giovanni Sio was whistled for a foul on Georgios Samaras inside the penalty to give Greece a last-gasp penalty kick.
Samaras stepped up and cooly beat goalkeeper Boubacar Barry to put Greece through to the Round of 16.
That was the last World Cup match played by Ivory Coast. They failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022, but made it through AFCON qualifying undefeated with eight wins and two draws to earn an automatic spot. This summer, they have been drawn into Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador.
Q&A
When did Ivory Coast last participate in the World Cup?
Ivory Coast last participated in the World Cup in 2014.
What happened to Ivory Coast in the 2014 World Cup?
In the 2014 World Cup, Ivory Coast was eliminated in the group stage after a draw against Greece.
Who scored the equalizing goal for Ivory Coast in 2014?
Wilfried Bony scored the equalizing goal for Ivory Coast in the 74th minute of their match against Greece.
