Men's U17 FIBA World Cup: Historic winning debut for the Éléphanteaux.

Côte d’Ivoire made history on the opening day of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026, securing the country’s first-ever win in the competition. The Young Elephants delivered a statement performance by defeating Venezuela 74-63 in Group D, bringing pride to the nation and the entire African continent.

Leading the way was Jean-Philippe Oka, who produced a standout performance with 18 points, 2 assists and 4 steals. The reigning FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 MVP once again showed his leadership qualities, helping Côte d’Ivoire overcome a competitive Venezuelan team in their historic World Cup debut.

“First World Cup game, first win, we can only be happy with the work we have done with these kids over the last two years,” said Moussa Diarra, President of the Ivorian Basketball Federation. For the federation, the victory represents the reward of a long-term youth development project designed to build a pathway toward the senior national team.

Head coach Eric Anderson Affi, who guided Côte d’Ivoire to the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 title, was proud of his team’s achievement. “With this win, we are making history and I’m proud to be part of it with these kids,” Affi said, while emphasizing that the team must maintain the same mentality in the upcoming games.

The victory is more than just a result; it reflects the growth of Ivorian youth basketball. Omar Mangassouba highlighted the importance of the preparation behind the success, explaining that months of training, film sessions and hard work are now paying off on the biggest stage.

Carlo Vieira, general manager of the national team program, believes this achievement sends a powerful message to young players in Côte d’Ivoire and around the world. “The work started two or three years ago and now we can see the results. These kids show that dreams are possible,” he said.

However, Côte d’Ivoire’s mission is far from complete. After their historic opening win, the Young Elephants will continue their Group D campaign against Australia on June 28 and Serbia on June 30, aiming to create even more history in Istanbul.

With Côte d’Ivoire also preparing to host the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2026, the country’s basketball program is entering a new era with the ambition of developing a generation capable of competing consistently at the highest international level.