One of the world’s top soccer nations is coming to Chester, and the first chance to see them play is free. 

The Ivory Coast national soccer team, known as Les Éléphants, will face Philadelphia Union II in a free scrimmage at Subaru Park on Monday, June 8 at 7 PM, marking the Philadelphia region’s first World Cup-related tune-up match, reports Nick Kariuki for Billy Penn at WHYY.  

Fans can claim free tickets through the Philadelphia Union. 

The match is part of Côte d’Ivoire’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the region will get another chance to see them in action at a free community training session at Subaru Park on June 12. 

Ivory Coast selected Chester’s Subaru Park as its official World Cup base camp earlier this year and will be staying in nearby Wilmington throughout the tournament, making them the only World Cup nation headquartered in the Philadelphia region. 

Their group-stage schedule keeps them close to home, with two of three matches at Lincoln Financial Field: a clash with Ecuador on June 14 and a matchup against Curaçao on June 25. 

The stakes are high for a team that arrives with serious credentials. A three-time Africa Cup of Nations champion ranked No. 34 in the world by FIFA, Ivory Coast is making its fourth World Cup appearance. 

Philadelphia Union president Tim McDermott called the upcoming events a “meaningful moment” for the team, Chester, and the wider region. 

“As one of the world’s top national teams prepares for the FIFA World Cup 2026, we’re proud to play a role in that journey and create exceptional opportunities for supporters to experience the game at its highest level,” he said. 

The full article at Billy Penn at WHYY has everything you need to know about the team’s arrival and how to make the most of having one of the tournament’s top nations right in your backyard. 

_______