馃嚚馃嚠C么te d'IvoireWest Africa
C么te d'Ivoire aims for another world title at the 2026 Unified Football World Cup
via Abidjan.net8 min read
The official draw for the Special Olympics Unified Football World Cup 2026 took place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Paris. C么te d'Ivoire, placed in Group A of the women's tournament alongside France, Thailand, and Costa Rica, is seeking another world title, according to a statement from Special Olympics C么te d'Ivoire released on Friday, April 17, 2026. As the reigning world champions from the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, C么te d'Ivoire approaches this competition with ambition and determination. The Ivorian women's team, with its experience and talent, intends to confirm its status on the international stage and return to the 脡bri茅 Lagoon with the trophy. The World Cup, scheduled from July 6 to 11, 2026, in Paris, will feature 24 teams 12 men's and 12 women's, comprising athletes with and without intellectual disabilities. Matches will be held at Stade Charl茅ty and the Cit茅 Internationale Universitaire de Paris, fostering an atmosphere of inclusive sports celebration. The event will bring together over 500 athletes, their families, and hundreds of volunteers, promoting a spirit of sharing, solidarity, and inclusion. C么te d'Ivoire's objective in this competition is to make history and affirm its global leadership in unified football. Unified football promotes inclusive sports practice by integrating people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team.
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Vice President Ti茅moko Meyliet Kon茅, representing the Head of State, Alassane Ouattara, presided over a dual ceremony at the Armed Forces Academy AFA in Zambakro, near Yamoussoukro, on Thursday, July 16, 2026. The event included the naming ceremony for the 57th class of active-duty officer cadets and the epaulet presentation for the 56th class of active-duty officer cadets, as well as the 19th class of medical officer cadets. Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, T茅n茅 Birahima Ouattara, named the 57th class, comprising 124 cadets 107 from C么te d'Ivoire and 17 from other African countries, the "Merit Class," with Brigadier General Tour茅 Gneckremchin as their patron. The epaulets were awarded to 106 active-duty officer cadets from the graduating 56th "Determination Class" and 20 medical officer cadets from the 19th class, including two women. Vice President Kon茅 elevated these cadets to the rank of officers, presenting them with insignia as Second Lieutenants and Medical Lieutenants. Vice Prime Minister Ouattara urged the new officers to embrace their responsibilities, emphasizing humility in command, firmness in decisions, and discernment in action. He also advised the medical officers to speak the same language as the units they support, remember that soldiers risk their lives trusting in their care, and always honor their Hippocratic Oath. Colonel-Major Ouattara Issouf, Director of the AFA, noted the academy's growing reputation, attracting students from across Africa
Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, announced several US commercial agreements in C么te d'Ivoire on July 16, 2026, during his first visit to Africa since taking office. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. Notably, Starlink has been authorized to provide high-speed internet services throughout C么te d'Ivoire, including rural areas, utilizing American satellite technology. Additionally, the Ivorian government has approved a $170 million project by US company Cybastion, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank. This project will establish a sovereign national data center, a platform for digitizing public services, and an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to enhance the American presence in C么te d'Ivoire's digital sector, creating jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative under a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between ABD Group and the Ivorian government. This project will construct 55 new primary health centers and 15 new maternity wards in university and regional hospital centers, along with hospital rehabilitation projects, with work commencing in 2026 and lasting 36 months. Furthermore, US technological logistics company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to expand
Must ReadFrank R. Garcia, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, announced several commercial agreements between American companies and C么te d'Ivoire during his first visit to Africa. These agreements span the digital, health, education, and logistics sectors. The Ivorian government has granted final authorization to Starlink to provide high-speed internet services, utilizing American satellite technology to improve connectivity across the country, including rural areas. Additionally, American company Cybastion received approval for a $170 million project, financed by the U.S. Export-Import Bank, to build a sovereign national data center, develop a public services digitization platform, and deploy an intelligent border surveillance system. Cisco and Cybastion are also collaborating with the US Embassy to strengthen the American digital presence in C么te d'Ivoire and create jobs in both countries. In the health sector, ABD Group reached an agreement for a $293 million healthcare infrastructure project, the first major initiative from a $570 million framework agreement signed in April 2026 between the company and the Ivorian government, covering health, education, and water. For logistics, American company NTELX signed a contract with the Grand Abidjan Port-City Integration Project to deploy truck coordination technology at the Port of Abidjan to improve goods traffic flow. Garcia stated that Starlink's commercial services authorization is a significant step for conn