Ivory Coast assistant coach Alain Gouamene is hopeful that his side's first appearance in the World Cup finals will provide a spur to future generations in the country.

The Elephants clinched qualification for the Germany showpiece at the expense of Cameroon, before reaching the final of the African Cup of Nations to confirm their growing status.

Gouamene said: "We're like outsiders. We have nothing to lose and we're going to play as well as we can."

"It has been years since there have been organisations to help the young players. The World Cup will give them something to look up to."

Paris St Germain forward Bonaventure Kalou remains cautious about the impact the World Cup will have on a country ravaged by the effects of a lengthy civil war.

He added: "I don't believe that soccer is going to reunify the country.

"But it will allow the people a moment of rapprochement and help create the climate where we can resolve the conflict."

Kalou's side have been drawn in Group C alongside Argentina, the Netherlands and Serbia & Montenegro.