Côte d’Ivoire is finalizing its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four months before the North American tournament kicks off, the Elephants have confirmed their base camp.

On Tuesday, the city of Philadelphia and Major League Soccer (MLS) club Philadelphia Union announced that the Ivorian national team will set up its headquarters at Subaru Park, the club’s modern stadium located in Chester, a suburb of the city. This venue will serve as the official base for the Elephants throughout the tournament.

The team will also train at the nearby WSFS Bank Sportsplex, a high-level training complex known for its world-class facilities, fully suited to international football standards.

“Hosting Côte d’Ivoire on our campus is a tremendous honor for Philadelphia Union and our entire region,” said Tim McDermott, President of Philadelphia Union.

Located along the Delaware River, Subaru Park has become one of MLS’s major stadiums. Its facilities include state-of-the-art training fields, medical infrastructure, and recovery resources—key assets for a team managing multiple matches and complex logistics during the World Cup.

As 2023 African champions, Côte d’Ivoire enters the 2026 World Cup with high ambitions under coach Emerse Faé. Drawn in Group E, the Elephants will face Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao.

Philadelphia will play a central role in their campaign, hosting two group-stage matches: the first against Ecuador on June 14 and the final against Curaçao, with a brief trip to Toronto, Canada, to face Germany.