The Olympique de Marseille wrapped up a three-day preparation tour in Abidjan on Saturday, July 18. The French club arrived in Côte d’Ivoire on July 15, accompanied by a delegation of 80 people, including 24 players under the guidance of coach Bruno Genesio.
The highlight of their stay was a friendly match on Friday, July 17 against Yamoussoukro FC, a newly promoted team in the Ivorian Ligue 1, held at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium. The fixture was officially announced by the club on its X social media account.
Before the game, an unusual opening event brought together Ivorian government officials and Marseille’s management and technical staff. The day before, on July 16, the Olympians trained at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium, where striker Faris Moumbagna worked closely with the squad.
Diplomatic and sporting collaboration
The OM’s visit goes beyond a simple pre-season trip. It is part of the Sublime Côte d’Ivoire partnership, renewed in April 2026 and extended until 2029. The agreement, described as a promotional collaboration, reportedly brings Marseille around 3.275 billion West African CFA francs—nearly 5 million euros—annually.
On July 14, three Ivorian ministers jointly held a press conference to emphasize the importance of the event: Siandou Fofana, Minister of Tourism, Françoise Remarck, Minister of Culture, and Adjé Silas Metch, Minister of Sports. The Ministry of Tourism had also announced the club’s arrival on its official X account.
This coordinated government engagement reflects how Abidjan views the Olympians’ visit as a national branding opportunity, blending tourism, cultural influence, and sports diplomacy rather than just a routine preseason camp.
Community engagement off the field
The program also included off-field activities. As part of their stay, Marseille players were scheduled to visit children facing difficult circumstances in Abidjan, complementing the public training sessions held during their visit.
Strategic tourism and sports diplomacy in Côte d’Ivoire
The OM’s tour adds to Côte d’Ivoire’s ongoing strategy to boost sports tourism, driven by the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. The partnership with Marseille, now extended until 2029, stands as one of the country’s most visible international initiatives. For Yamoussoukro FC, recently promoted to Ligue 1, facing a top French club offers rare exposure for a team based outside Abidjan’s usual spotlight.
New leadership marks its first international engagement
Stéphane Richard, who officially took over as president of Olympique de Marseille on July 2, 2026, praised the partnership as a key highlight of the club’s summer preparation. His presence in Côte d’Ivoire alongside Bruno Genesio marked one of his first international appearances as part of the new management.
The Marseille delegation is set to return to France on Saturday, concluding a visit that combined athletic preparation, diplomatic engagement, and image-building for both sides.