Ivory Coast vs Gambia Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CAF)

by Alex Lawes · March 23 2025, 17:55

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Reigning African champions, the Ivory Coast, are pushing for a return to the FIFA World Cup having failed to qualify in 2018 and 2022 as they take on a poor Gambia side this week.

Kick-off date/time: Monday 24th March, 2025: UK – 7:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

Côte d'Ivoire have won the last three World Cup qualifying matches between these teams without conceding a goal.
Côte d'Ivoire have won eight of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches (D1 L1).
Côte d'Ivoire have won 14 of their last 17 World Cup qualifying matches at home (D1 L2).
Côte d'Ivoire have not conceded a goal in their previous five matches in the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Gambia have won only one of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (D2 L6).
The Gambia have lost only one of their last seven international matches (W2 D4).
Yankuba Minteh has scored in the Gambia’s last three World Cup qualifying matches.

Ivory Coast vs Gambia Prediction

Having won the 2023 CAF Africa Cup of Nations last year with Emerse Fae taking charge mid-way through the competition, the Ivory Coast have a real chance of a return to a FIFA World Cup as they now take on an underwhelming Gambian side this week.

The Ivorians have managed four victories and a draw in their five matches in African qualification thus far, most recently defeating a fairly entertaining Burundi side by a goal to nil at Stade d’Honneur in Morocco the other day thanks to a 16th minute strike from in-form Nice forward Evann Guessand.

The Gambians have collected just four points from their five matches thus far with just a win, a draw and three defeats as they sit just above Seychelles, one of the weaker sides on the continent. They shared what was a thrilling 3-3 draw with Kenya the other day, conceding a 96th minute equalising goal in that game having been 2-0 up at one stage.

This is the highest scoring group in African qualification. The Ivorians are the firm favourites for this one but it could end up being quite an entertaining clash for the neutral in this one.