Ivory Coast vs Gambia: AFCON 2027 Kickoff, Squads and Group C

Ivory Coast vs Gambia takes place on Thursday, 12 November 2026, at Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kickoff at 19:00 GMT. Both teams have six points after two AFCON 2027 qualifiers, making this Group C meeting a contest between the early leaders. Côte d’Ivoire lead on goal difference, while Gambia arrive after winning away to Ghana.

The Elephants have not conceded in their first two qualifiers. Gambia have scored six times and conceded three. The teams meet again on 17 November, giving this first encounter immediate significance in the race for the two qualifying places. For broader continental context, follow SportPesa Global AFCON qualifying coverage alongside the match details below.

The Ivory Coast vs Gambia kickoff time is 19:00 GMT, which is 21:00 in South Africa and Lesotho and 22:00 in East Africa. Matchday scheduling or team announcements should be checked against CAF before the game begins.

These AFCON Group C standings are a snapshot after Matchday 2. Côte d’Ivoire beat Ghana and Somalia 2–0 apiece; Gambia beat Somalia 2–1 before winning 4–2 away to Ghana. The top two teams in this four-team group qualify for the 2027 finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Read more about the tournament’s East African setting in our AFCON 2027 host preparations coverage.

The contrast is clear: Ivory Coast have taken their points through consecutive clean sheets, while Gambia have recovered from difficult periods to win games with multiple goals. Against Ghana, the Scorpions came from two goals down to win 4–2, with Ebrima Colley scoring twice after the equaliser. These results explain the group positions but do not determine the outcome in Bouaké.

Ivory Coast team news centres on Hervé Renard’s 25-player squad. Udinese defender Oumar Solet earned his first senior call-up after committing his international future to Côte d’Ivoire. Abdoul Ouattara, Abdoulaye Kanté and Yaya Kader Fofana are also newcomers in the selection. Renard has named established options such as Franck Kessié, Nicolas Pépé and Amad Diallo, alongside his defensive group.

The Ivory Coast squad announcement is not a confirmed starting XI. Selection decisions and final availability must be verified when the official team sheet is released.

Gambia team news includes the returns of Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh to Johnathan McKinstry’s 25-player squad. Both missed the opening qualifiers through injury. Their returns broaden Gambia’s attacking options after the victories over Somalia and Ghana, while Alieu Fadera and Adama Sidibeh remain unavailable according to the published squad report.

The Gambia squad includes players responsible for the earlier Group C wins, but a call-up does not guarantee an appearance. McKinstry’s matchday selection will establish which players start and which are available from the bench.

The two most recent Ivory Coast vs Gambia head-to-head meetings ended in wins for the Elephants. Those results offer historical context rather than a reliable prediction of the November 2026 contest, with different squads and qualifying circumstances.

For eligible adult readers, Ivory Coast vs Gambia betting markets may include match result (1X2), double chance, total goals and both teams to score when listed by the relevant SportPesa operator. Each market addresses a different question: the full-time winner, two possible results, total match goals, or whether both sides score.

Explore the available match selections and current football odds on SportPesa Global, subject to local eligibility and availability. Odds change, and no match-specific price or market has been confirmed for this article. Betting is for adults aged 18 and over where permitted; set limits and never chase losses.

Follow the Ivory Coast vs Gambia live score, confirmed lineups and full-time result on SportPesa Score when available. The fixture is part of a wider international window; readers following other AFCON 2027 fixtures can also explore our Gabon vs Lesotho qualifier coverage and Lesotho’s November AFCON qualifying squad.

Ivory Coast vs Gambia is a direct meeting between the two unbeaten leaders of AFCON 2027 Group C. Both enter the 12 November match with six points, but they have reached that position in contrasting ways: Côte d’Ivoire through two clean-sheet wins and Gambia through six goals across two victories. Check the confirmed teams and match updates on SportPesa Score, and review any available football markets through the appropriate SportPesa Global service.