The Elephants will begin their campaign against Ecuador before facing the four-time world champions in their second group game at Toronto’s BMO Field, as they aim for a deep run in the tournament.
The two nations have met only once at senior level, with Lukas Podolski scoring twice as the Europeans and Africans played out a 2-2 draw in a friendly played on November 18, 2009 in Stuttgart.
Buoyed by impressive March victories over South Korea and Scotland, the former CAF Coach of the Year believes his side are improving at the right time.
Speaking to Flashscore, Fae insisted the African champions will not sit back against Germans, stressing that his players will approach the match with confidence and belief rather than fear.
"As for our approach, I don’t want the team to sit back and play too cautiously," said the 42-year-old.
"That’s not my philosophy. I’m not afraid of any opponent, including Germany. I want us to play with confidence, go forward, and try to score goals rather than just defend and rely on counter-attacks."
For contest, Germany are in fine form with Julian Nagelsmann’s team winning their last seven matches in all competitions.
Fae shares lessons against South Korea and Scotland
Prior to the March international friendlies in England, Fae and his players faced heavy criticism following a disappointing showing at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
However, the Elephants responded with strong performances against World Cup-bound opposition, combining attacking quality with improved defensive discipline.
Reflecting on the matches, Fae explained that the main objective was to find the right balance between defence and attack.
He also admitted that selecting the final squad will be a difficult task, as many players have stepped up and shown they deserve a place.
"The key lesson from the two matches is that we can be strong both defensively and in attack," he continued.
"During the World Cup qualifiers, we were solid at the back but struggled to score. At AFCON in Morocco, it was easier to find goals, but we conceded too many.
"So, our aim in these games was to strike a balance, being just as strong defensively as we are going forward, and we’ve achieved that.
"A lot depends on the team spirit, and once again, it was very good. Winning these two matches boosts confidence, but it also makes selection difficult, as many players have shown they deserve a place in the 26-man World Cup squad."
Fae added: "We have a good squad now. In the last two games, we kept two clean sheets, which is very important for us.
"After the AFCON, I felt we were scoring plenty of goals but also conceding too many. So, it was crucial for us to improve defensively, and I’m very pleased with how the team has responded.
"We have many players who deserve to be there (at the World Cup), but we can only select 26. That makes it a tough decision for the technical team.
"However, it’s better to have this kind of challenge than to struggle to find quality players. It shows the strength and depth we have in the squad."
Fae: Kessie’s experience vital for Ivory Coast
Coach Fae has defended his continued reliance on Franck Kessie, insisting the midfielder’s experience remains crucial to Ivory Coast.
Some observers have questioned the tactician’s trust in the former AC Milan and FC Barcelona starwith concerns raised about his pace.
The former Nice and Nantes star has made it clear that Kessie’s value goes far beyond physical attributes stating that the Al Ahli midfielder remains a central figure in the squad, not only as captain but also as a leader.
"Of course, experience is important. When a player is 29 or 30, that shouldn’t be seen as a problem," Fae added.
"You can’t win the World Cup with only young players. it’s impossible. If you look at top teams like France or Brazil, they always have a mix of youth and experience. So, I don’t understand why age should be an issue."
When asked about his target at the global showpiece, he said: "I have believed for some time now, especially after what we saw in Ivory Coast (AFCON 2023) that African teams need to have more belief in themselves because they have the quality to achieve something great.
"I believe Ivory Coast has the potential to do something special. We will go into the tournament with the aim of winning every game, taking it one match at a time, and pushing as far as possible. Why not aim for the final?"
Before heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026, Ivory Coast national football team will take on the two-time world champions France in an international friendly on June 4 in Nantes.
