Ivory Coast Hosts Open Training in Philadelphia Ahead of World Cup Debut Before the World Cup kicks off in Philadelphia, the Ivory Coast national team, known as Les Éléphants, held an open training session at Subaru Park on Friday evening. The event, attended by thousands of fans, marked the team’s first public appearance in the Delaware Valley as they prepare to compete in the tournament. Les Éléphants will open their World Cup campaign on Sunday with a match against Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium, also known as Lincoln Financial Field. The Ivorian squad has established its base camp at Hotel Du Pont in Wilmington, where they will train at Subaru Park in Chester. This marks the first time Ivory Coast will train in the United States during a World Cup, and it is the only team scheduled to stay and train in the Delaware Valley throughout the tournament. The team’s presence in the region has been met with enthusiasm, with fans expressing excitement about the opportunity to engage with the squad. Ivory Coast manager Emerse Faé addressed the crowd after the training session, acknowledging the warm reception from local supporters. “We were well-received by the delegation here,” Faé said through a translator. “We want to see you on Sunday for the win.” The open training was the second public event organized by the team in Philadelphia, following a friendly match against Union II on Monday, which ended in a 2-0 victory for Les Éléphants. For many fans, the training session offered a chance to familiarize themselves with the team before the tournament begins. Sam Shovers and Joe Santillo, two supporters planning to watch Ivory Coast’s final group-stage match against Curaçao on June 25, described the event as a way to immerse themselves in the World Cup atmosphere.#philadelphia #ivory_coast #emers_fa #les_elephants #subaru_park
