They seem to be pretty strong. Defense is solid. Atheletism is top notch.

1. Beat Germany
Ivory Coast 2–1 Germany
This is the statement win. They absorb pressure, survive Germany’s possession spells, and hit through Diomande / Adingra pace. Amad or Kessié gets the decisive goal.

2. Beat Curaçao
Ivory Coast 3–0 Curaçao
This likely wins Group E. They finish on 9 points, ahead of Germany, and avoid the harder runner-up path.

3. Round of 32: beat Australia
Ivory Coast 2–0 Australia
As Group E winner, the cleanest imagined route is a winnable Round of 32 tie rather than immediately facing a giant.

4. Round of 16: beat Morocco
Ivory Coast 1–1, win on penalties
This is the "survive and advance" match. They don’t need to dominate. they need defensive discipline, set pieces, and a big goalkeeper performance.

5. Quarterfinal: beat Spain
Ivory Coast 2–1 Spain
This is the true world-title credibility game. They sit compact, deny central spaces, and punish one mistake in transition. Think: low block, fast wingers, Kessié/Fofana physical midfield battle.

6. Semifinal: beat France
Ivory Coast 1–0 France
The emotional, legacy-defining win. It would need a near-perfect defensive match, probably an early goal or a set-piece goal, then 70 minutes of suffering.

7. Final: beat Brazil
Ivory Coast 2–1 Brazil
They concede first, stay alive, then win through pace late. Very AFCON 2023 energy: chaotic, resilient, impossible to kill.