Côte d’Ivoire braced for tough U-17 World Cup test, says Diabate

Côte d’Ivoire U-17 head coach Bassiriki Diabate has admitted his side faces a daunting challenge at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 after being drawn into what he described as a “difficult group.”

The Elephants will compete in Group F alongside Mexico, Korea Republic, and Switzerland — a trio of teams representing three different continents and styles of play.

“This draw placed us in a rather difficult group,” said Diabate following the draw in Doha on 25 May.

“We have Mexico from the Americas, Switzerland from Europe, and Korea Republic from Asia. It’s quite a diverse group with some very strong teams, which will make this competition quite challenging for us.”

The 2025 tournament will mark Côte d’Ivoire’s return to the global U-17 stage, with the expanded 48-team format offering a bigger platform for African youth talent.

But for Diabate and his technical team, the blend of football cultures in their group means preparation must be precise.

“Our players must be ready to face different football philosophies in a very short space of time,” Diabate added.

 “It’s a big learning opportunity, but also a massive test of tactical adaptability and mental strength.”

The Elephants qualified for the global finals through a strong performance at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

They are now tasked with making their mark against some of the game’s best youth sides in Qatar.

Mexico are traditionally strong at youth level, having won the U-17 World Cup twice (2005, 2011), while Korea Republic bring technical discipline and intensity.

Switzerland, known for producing highly organized and physically robust sides, round off the group.

Despite the challenges ahead, Diabate remains optimistic that Côte d’Ivoire can rise to the occasion.

“Our objective is to compete, grow, and show that Ivorian football has a bright future,” he said. “We are not just going to participate — we aim to compete at the highest level.”

The Elephants will open their campaign in Group F when the tournament begins on 3 November in Qatar.

All eyes will be on how this young Ivorian side navigates one of the most intriguing groups in the expanded global showpiece.