Emerse Faé

Emerse Faé is the head coach of Ivory Coast at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the architect of one of the most extraordinary in-tournament rescues in modern football. Born in Nantes on 24 January 1984 to Ivorian parents, he played his entire youth career in France, switched his international allegiance to Ivory Coast in 2005 under a FIFA eligibility rule change, and represented the Elephants at the 2006 World Cup as well as three AFCONs. As a club player he is best remembered for a Premier League stint with Reading.

His coaching path began quietly at Clermont's reserves and then with the Ivorian under-23 side. Everything changed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. With Ivory Coast on the brink of group-stage elimination and head coach Jean-Louis Gasset dismissed, Faé was promoted on 24 January 2024 — his 40th birthday — as caretaker for the knockout rounds. What followed was historic: a comeback win over Senegal in the round of 16, a quarter-final against Mali settled in extra time, a semi-final past DR Congo, and a 2–1 victory over Nigeria in the final. Faé became the first manager in football history to win a major tournament after being appointed mid-competition, and was named the tournament's Best Coach.

He was confirmed as permanent head coach immediately afterwards and steered Ivory Coast through the CAF qualifiers, sealing their place at the 2026 World Cup on the final matchday in October 2025. Ivory Coast are placed in Group G. Around Sébastien Haller, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra and Wilfried Singo, Faé's task is to turn AFCON glory into a serious run at the world stage.