Côte d'Ivoire Geared Up to Host Africa's Biggest Sporting Spectacle
Four newly constructed stadiums and two renovated ones, upgraded roads connecting the city, hospitals built or modernized, and a renovated airport. Idriss Diallo, President of the Ivorian Football Federation, stated that the country has invested over one billion US dollars to boost infrastructure for the tournament.
Hoping for a lasting legacy and a new beginning for a country that has been shook by civil war in the last two decades, Diallo expressed confidence that the new infrastructures would enhance Côte d'Ivoire's reputation as a global football powerhouse. The country boasts a rich football tradition: it has won the trophy twice and has birthed stars like former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure. Diallo hopes that the new infrastructure will further cement Côte d'Ivoire's position as a football titan.
“Football’s foundation is infrastructure,” Diallo told CNN. “Countries that have achieved success in football have started by investing in infrastructure: training fields, football pitches, local facilities … This is a crucial first step. It will drive the development of football in Côte d'Ivoire.”
Côte d'Ivoire had previously hosted the African Nations Cup in 1984, but only eight countries participated, and the host nation was eliminated in the group stage. The 2024 World Cup was initially scheduled for June 2023 but was postponed due to concerns over staging the tournament during the country's rainy season, with Côte d'Ivoire being among the tournament's favorites.
Edem Spio, Co-Founder and Moderator of the popular African Sports Business podcast, commented that organizing the event could serve as a marketing boon, although it may not be directly related to winning a trophy. “Countries, particularly in the north, often leverage sports to demonstrate soft power and showcase their ability to excel in a field. We've seen how Qatar transformed during the 2022 World Cup,” he said.
“An event like the Africa Cup of Nations is Africa's flagship football event, and every country aiming to host it knows how crucial the organization of sports events is to forging a strong name in the sports world,” Spio added.
Lasting Legacy
The impact of the event won't be limited to football; the country expects around two million people to participate in the World Cup, including neighboring countries that have qualified like Burkina Faso and Ghana, as well as more distant nations like Nigeria and Senegal. Diallo expects this wave of visitors to set off a wide range of economic activities, from transportation and small businesses to a significant boost for the hosting industry.
Lolo Diby, president of the National Hotel Association of Côte d'Ivoire, expects hotel occupancy rates to increase to 100 percent during the event. “This 60 percent difference could amount to at least 15 billion CFA francs (25 million US dollars) per week … representing a significant potential,” he said.
Diallo hopes that the tourists will return after the event, interested in learning more. He said that the airport, including the lightened landing strip, would ease entry into the country, and that the government would invest in hospitals equipped with advanced scanners.
“The investments made by the government will leave a lasting legacy in this country in terms of infrastructure, technical skills, training, and financial gains for the football ecosystem. This will benefit the entire nation,” Diallo said.
Also Read:
- Côte d'Ivoire invests more than one billion US dollars in World Cup infrastructure, aiming to establish itself as a global football powerhouse.
- As a host of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, Côte d'Ivoire saw fewer participating countries (eight) in 1984, unlike its success in qualifying for the World Cup 2024 and being recognized as a tournament favorite.
Source:
Enrichment Data:
Although the specific investment amount for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations is not explicitly mentioned in the query, Côte d'Ivoire is investing in improving its football infrastructure and reputation following its victory in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations. To this end, the country is working on fostering ties with other football countries, such as Tunisia, through collaborative initiatives and knowledge-sharing. The Côte d'Ivoire Football Federation and its Tunisian counterpart have agreed on a memorandum of understanding to encourage youth development and coach exchange, ultimately building a stronger football ecosystem together.
