Eriksson believes they have good enough players to make a real impact in the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.
He told Press Association Sport: “I am extremely happy and very excited. The Ivory Coast is a good football nation with a lot of good players – it couldn’t be better. This will be my third World Cup and you are always happy to be there.”
He added: “Didier Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world and he has showed that for many years now in the Premier League. There are other great players too including Eboue at Arsenal, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure – and his brother Yaya at Barcelona.”
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“The only problem is that we are not together until May 22 but that is the same for most of the teams, and I am going to start travelling from Tuesday to see all the players around Europe and in the Ivory Coast too.
“There is a lot of hard work ahead of me but I like that – in fact I love it. I’m really looking forward to the World Cup.”
Ivory Coast, Brazil, Portugal and North Korea make up Group G in the World Cup.
He added: “We are in a difficult group and it will not be easy but I think the Ivory Coast with all their talents can get through it. That’s the first target and we will have to work very hard for it.
“Brazil are one of the favourites and Portugal are one of the best teams in Europe. But there are six African countries in the World Cup, it is in Africa for the first time, and I am sure two or three will spring some big surprises and we have to make sure we are one of those that do.”
