National team Harambee Stars were second best to a determined Les Éléphants side from Ivory Coast, with the Ivorians dominating from start to finish to earn a 3-0 win and with it, a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, Tuesday night 14 October 2025 in Abidjan.
As a result, the Ivorians stormed to a World Cup return with a comfortable victory in their final Group F match played at an expectant Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpe.
The Ivorians knew that with Gabon breathing down their neck, a win was paramount and they started with purpose; Sylvester Owino doing superbly to hook an early Ivorian effort off the line, but it only preserved parity momentarily.
Manchester United forward Amad Diallo cut inside his marker and sent a gorgeous pass into Franck Kessie, who took it in his stride and fired home for Emerson Fae’s men early on, to rapturous applause from a now party like crowd at the stadium. The excellent Yan Diomende made it two, before Diallo put the result to bed late on.
Les Éléphants will now appear at a fourth global finals in five editions.
The result confirmed the Ivory Coast as group F winners and cemented the reigning Africa Cup of Nations AFCON champions' appearance at yet another major tournament.
Kenya finished fourth with 12 points, their best tally ever in World Cup qualifying. Meanwhile, Gabon came second with 25 points after beating Burundi 2-0. They will proceed to a playoff to determine whether they can book a final slot to the tournament.
Gambia third with 13 after thrashing the winless and pointless Seychelles 7-0 earlier in the day. Burundi ended fifth on 10.