Maracana: Ivory Coast retains its world crown by beating Togo (4-1) in Douala

Ivory Coast retained its world maracana title by dominating Togo 4-1 in the final of the Mara'Monde on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Japoma gymnasium in Douala, Cameroon. This is the second consecutive victory for the Ivorians in this competition organized by the International Federation of Maracana Associations (FIMAA), reports the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP).

The final turned very quickly. Losseni Samaké opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, before Artignon Ferdinand equalized for Togo in the 4th. Fabrice Zokou (8th) and then Méité Ibrahima (15th) then widened the gap, with Zokou adding a fourth goal at the end of the match, according to the AIP.

The Elephants secure the double

By retaining their crown, the maracana Elephants have achieved a double that few teams have managed in a discipline that is still young on the international stage. Maracana, a small-sided variant of football, has been structured in recent years around the FIMAA, and West Africa is leading the way.

Togo leaves with their heads held high

For the Togolese maracana Hawks, second place has a bittersweet taste. Togo had eliminated Cameroon, the host country, in the semi-finals, indicates the Togolese media outlet SOSPORTS, before yielding to the Ivorian machine. Upon returning to Lomé, the world runners-up were welcomed with honors.

Beyond the podium, this Mara'Monde says something about the sporting Africa of today: a world championship played on the continent, in an African facility—the Japoma complex in Douala—between African national teams that occupy the top two spots. So-called "secondary" disciplines are often those where the continent's federations innovate, organize, and win without waiting for anyone's approval.

The FIMAA must now confirm this momentum by increasing the number of participating nations. But for Ivory Coast, the message is already clear: on sand, hardwood, or small-sided turf, the Elephants remain the bosses.