Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterSpotting an A-lister at this summer's World Cup is not the biggest surprise.TV cameras have already been in overdrive, scanning the crowd for famous faces with commentators handily provided a list of those expected to attend at some venues.However, while FourFourTwo can't get enough of the intricacies of the battle between Ivory Coast and Ecuador, it'd be a hard sell as a 'glamour tie' to some.Why Jay-Z wanted to watch Ivory CoastIt may, therefore, have been a surprise to see best-selling rapper Jay-Z in the crowd for this Group E match.But the 'Empire State of Mind' star had a perfectly explainable reason to be at the match. You may like Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 squad ahead of the game against Ecuador How to watch Ivory Coast vs Ecuador for FREE On the ground with three World Cup legends for Puma's kit block party in New York City Alongside his music career, one of Jay-Z's primary business interests is Roc Nation an entertainment agency with numerous branches, one of them being sports.Stars like Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Gabriel Martinelli are clients of Roc Nation Sports as is young Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.The 19-year-old is widely tipped for great things, and has been linked with the likes of Liverpool in recent times.Jay-Z was pictured greeting Diomande before the game, perhaps rolling the red carpet out for the RB Leipzig star, with Transfermarkt listing the teenager as the second most valuable player on the agency's books at 90m, behind only Vini Jr.It could be a big summer ahead for Diomande, both at the World Cup and in the transfer market.He was handed a starting berth by Ivory Coast boss Emerse Fae, despite the head coach not finding space for the likes of Manchester United winger Amad.Diomande signed for RB Leipzig last summer, scoring 13 goals and providing nine assists in his debut season.It therefore makes plenty of sense that Roc Nation are giving the youngster the VIP treatment.TOPICSWorld Cup 2026Isaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
