Coach: Henri Michel

Star Players: Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora

Tournament Best: N/A

Last Time: N/A

Qualifying: Top of African Group 3

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Didier Drogba 9

The Ivory Coast have risen to become one of Africa's best teams over the last two years and will be looking to test themselves on the world stage in Germany.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba is the team's big star and he struck up a productive partnership with Lens' Aruna Dindane in qualifying. PSG's pacy Bonaventure Kalou will also cause problems going forward.

They are capable of scoring goals and with Arsenal's Kolo Toure marshalling the defence they will be a force to be reckoned with. His brother Yaya is an equally strong defensive midfielder.

The Ivorians' goal is to match the achievements of Senegal who reached the quarter-finals in 2002.

They have some excellent players but when you look at their group it is hard to see past Argentina and Holland for the qualifying spots.