The Olympique de Marseille wrapped up a three-day pre-season tour in Abidjan on Saturday, July 18. The French club arrived in Côte d’Ivoire on July 15 with a delegation of 80 individuals, including 24 players led by coach Bruno Genesio.
The highlight of the stay was a friendly match against Yamoussoukro FC, a newly promoted team in the Ivorian Ligue 1, held on Friday, July 17 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium. The game was announced on the club’s official X account. The evening before, Olympians trained at the same venue, where striker Faris Moumbagna worked closely with the squad.
A strategic partnership beyond football
This visit was more than just a sporting engagement. It was part of the Sublime Côte d’Ivoire initiative, renewed in April 2026 and running until 2029. The agreement brings the club an estimated 3.275 billion FCFA (about €5 million) annually, reinforcing ties between Marseille and Abidjan.
On July 14, three Ivorian ministers held a joint press conference to rally support for the event: Siandou Fofana (Tourism), Françoise Remarck (Culture), and Adjé Silas Metch (Sports). The Ministry of Tourism also announced the club’s arrival on its X account, underscoring how Abidjan views this visit as a national showcase blending tourism, culture, and sports diplomacy.
Community engagement and social impact
Beyond football, the program included outreach activities. Marseille players visited children in difficult situations in Abidjan, complementing public training sessions held during their stay.
Ivorian sports tourism on the rise
The visit aligns with Côte d’Ivoire’s broader strategy to boost sports tourism, a campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. The partnership with Marseille, now extended to 2029, stands out as a key international symbol. For Yamoussoukro FC, a club recently promoted to the Ivorian top flight, facing a Ligue 1 side offered rare visibility, especially away from the usual spotlight on Abidjan-based teams.
A new era for the Olympique de Marseille
Stéphane Richard, who officially became OM president on July 2, 2026, praised the partnership as a highlight of the club’s summer preparation. His presence in Côte d’Ivoire alongside Genesio marked one of his first international trips under his new leadership.
The Marseille delegation returned to France on Saturday, concluding a stay that combined athletic preparation, diplomatic engagement, and image-building for both sides.
