Ivory Coast

Shape: Faé has largely kept a 4‑3‑3/4‑2‑3‑1 base with Ndicka and Kossounou anchoring a physically dominant back line, Sangaré and Kessié providing a powerful double pivot and Diomande/Adingra as high, aggressive wide threats.[5][7] In-possession they build fairly directly once they clear first pressure, looking early for wide isolations and third‑man runs from the eights, while out of possession they press in bursts but are comfortable dropping into a compact mid‑block and protecting central zones.[5][7]

Numbers: Recent World Cup qualifying and pre‑tournament data indicate Ivory Coast are generating clearly above‑average non‑penalty xG per match for CAF sides, mainly through volume of transitions and cut‑backs rather than sustained positional attacks (inference based on shot volume and chance quality reports in match coverage). Defensively, they allow a moderate number of shots but keep xG per shot relatively low thanks to strong central protection and aerial dominance from Ndicka and Kossounou (inference from match reports and shot maps rather than a single consolidated xG source).