ABIDJAN, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire and Canada are seeking to strengthen cooperation in sports ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The prospects for cooperation were discussed on Tuesday in Abidjan during a meeting between Ivorian Minister of Sports Adje Silas Metch and Canadian Ambassador to Cote d'Ivoire Sandra Choufani.
"Our discussions focused on initiatives that could support Cote d'Ivoire's participation in the next World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico," Metch said.
The minister reaffirmed the Ivorian government's commitment to further strengthening friendship and cooperation with Canada, particularly in the sports sector.
Choufani said the talks also covered activities planned around the group-stage match between Cote d'Ivoire and Germany, scheduled for June 20, 2026 in Toronto.
"The idea is to organize several activities both in Cote d'Ivoire and in Canada to highlight this major sporting event and further strengthen the ties between our two nations," the ambassador said.
She added that she would soon meet officials of the Ivorian Football Federation to discuss the modalities of these activities.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Cote d'Ivoire's national team, the Elephants, will compete in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curacao.
