**Ivory Coast Reappoints Herve Renard in Bid for AFCON Title Defense**
*Published on August 4, 2026*
The Ivorian Football Federation has announced the reappointment of French coach Herve Renard to lead the national team, aiming to replicate their success in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which they won under his guidance in 2015. Renard's return comes after a brief interim role with Tunisia during the recently concluded World Cup, where he faced challenges in reviving the team's performance.
Renard, 57, replaces Emerse Fae, whose contract was not renewed following the World Cup. Under Fae's management, the Ivorian team reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in four appearances but was eliminated in the round of 32 by Norway.
In his interim role with Tunisia, Renard was tasked with turning around a struggling squad after their opening match resulted in a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden. Unfortunately, his efforts did not yield the desired results, as Tunisia lost their subsequent matches against Japan and the Netherlands, finishing the tournament without a victory. This performance marked them as the only one of the ten African teams participating in the World Cup that did not progress past the group stage.
Renard's coaching career has been marked by notable achievements, including leading Zambia to an AFCON title in 2012 and managing national teams across various countries, including Angola, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. His tenure with Saudi Arabia concluded just before the World Cup, despite successfully guiding the team to qualify for the tournament.
In addition to his work with national teams, Renard also served as the coach of France's women's team during the Paris Olympic Games two years ago. His extensive experience in international football positions him as a strong candidate to lead the Ivorian national team as they prepare for the upcoming AFCON tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in 2027.
The Ivorian team is set to begin its qualifying campaign next month, starting with a crucial match against neighboring Ghana, a fellow World Cup participant. This match is anticipated to be a significant test for Renard as he seeks to build a competitive squad capable of contending for the AFCON title once again.
As the football community watches closely, Renard's reappointment signals a renewed commitment from the Ivorian Football Federation to reclaim their status as a powerhouse in African football. The upcoming months will be critical as the team gears up for both the qualifiers and the tournament itself.