Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium To Host Côte d’Ivoire V Scotland
Côte d’Ivoire and Scotland to continue World Cup preparations with a high‑profile friendly at Everton’s new stadium.
Pitch International, is proud to announce the latest fixture in its 'Road to 26' international football series, with Scotland facing Côte d’Ivoire in a World Cup warm-up in Liverpool on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, kick-off 7.30pm UK.
The 52,769 capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium, home to Everton FC, will play host to its first international football fixture and the first ever meeting of the two sides, who have both qualified for this Summer’s FIFA World Cup.
Three-time AFCON title winners Côte d’Ivoire were unbeaten in World Cup qualifying and return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years. Scotland’s passage to the Finals went down to the wire, with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark ending its 28-year World Cup Finals drought.
With both teams using the fixture as an important part of their World Cup preparations, fans can expect to see Premier League players such as Everton’s Nathan Patterson, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson, Aston Villa’s John McGinn and Evann Guessand, and Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in action.
Scotland Head Coach Steve Clarke said: “We’re pleased to confirm Côte d’Ivoire as our second opponents for the March international window, following on from Japan’s visit to Glasgow.
“We wanted to face African opposition before we play Morocco in the summer, and I’m sure Côte d’Ivoire will give us a really stern test.
“It will also be good to play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The supporters will enjoy the opportunity to visit the new stadium.”
Côte d’Ivoire Head Coach Emerse Faé, who played for his side in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, added: “Coming to Liverpool to face Scotland will be an excellent test for us against European opposition ahead of the FIFA World Cup. It is a great opportunity to measure our level against players from top clubs, many of whom we know well from the Premier League. We are very happy to play this friendly in such a fantastic atmosphere, in a wonderful stadium, in front of passionate Scottish fans. We are really excited to be there.”
Angus Kinnear, Chief Executive Officer at Everton Football Club, said: “Hosting our first senior men’s international fixture is an important milestone for Hill Dickinson Stadium and underlines its credentials as a world-class venue for major sporting occasions.
“To stage the first-ever meeting between Scotland and Ivory Coast is a fitting moment, and we look forward to welcoming two World Cup-qualified nations and their supporters to Liverpool’s waterfront for what promises to be a special night of international football.”
Pitch International is an industry-leading sports marketing agency specialising in the representation of global media rights, major sporting events, hospitality programmes, sponsorship services, and the production of critically-acclaimed sports documentaries. The ‘Road to 26’ series reflects Pitch’s long-standing involvement in international football, bringing leading national teams together across key markets as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tickets for the highly anticipated international match will be available from £27 for Adults and £16 for Under-16s on Evertonfc.com and Ticketmaster (booking fees apply) from Tuesday, 3 February.
Everton Season Ticket Members, Seasonal Premium Members and Forever Blue+ Members will all receive priority access to purchase tickets ahead of general sale. Further information will be communicated via evertonfc.com in the next week.
Members of the Scotland Supporters Club will be able to secure their tickets, along with associated loyalty points via the standard away match sale schedule. Details of the sales schedule will be communicated by the Scotland Supporters Club in due course.