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The Ivory Coast have announced their squad for the 2026 World Cup — their first appearance at the tournament since 2014 — as manager Emerse Fae looks to replicate the triumph of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

This marks Ivory Coast’s return to football’s biggest stage after a 12-year absence. The Elephants qualified unbeaten in their CAF group, and while the 2023 AFCON champions may not be considered among the favourites, they bring one of the most promising squads full of youth and creativity — capable of producing surprises in North America this summer.

The team boasts an impressive potential starting eleven, featuring Ousmane Diomande, Evan Ndicka and Wilfried Singo in defence, supported by the experienced midfield trio of Franck Kessie, Jean Michael Seri and Ibrahim Sangare. In attack, they have the flair of Amad Diallo, the experience of Nicolas Pepe, and the rising star Yan Diomande — highlighted by FFT’s Joe Donnohue in the “The Boy’s A Bit Special” series.

Unlike previous campaigns, the team enters this tournament with a sense of stability. Ivory Coast replaced Jean-Louis Gasset mid-way through AFCON 2023, with Emerse Fae taking charge and remarkably guiding them to the title. He continues to lead the side into World Cup 2026.

One concern may be the lack of a central striker, as Sebastien Haller — who was vital in their AFCON victory — has not been included this time. His absence leaves a noticeable gap in attack.

Wilfried Zaha is another notable omission after a disappointing spell in Major League Soccer, while Jeremie Boga and veteran defender Willy Boly have also missed out, reflecting the depth and emerging talent in the current squad.

Despite the challenges, Ivory Coast will aim to be the top African side at the tournament and emulate Morocco’s remarkable World Cup run from four years ago.

Goalkeepers:

Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi)

Defenders:

Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Emmanuel Agbadou (Besiktas), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir)

Midfielders:

Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), Jean Michael Seri (Maribor), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Seko Fofana (Porto), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi)

Forwards:

Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Simon Adingra (Monaco), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Bazoumana Toure (TSG Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (Nice), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan)

Key fixtures ahead of and during the World Cup:

June 4, 2026: France vs Ivory Coast, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France

June 14, 2026: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA

June 20, 2026: Germany vs Ivory Coast, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

June 25, 2026: Curacao vs Ivory Coast, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, USA

Recent results:

March 31, 2026: Ivory Coast 1-0 Scotland, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, England

March 28, 2026: South Korea 0-4 Ivory Coast, Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England

December 31, 2025: Gabon 2-3 Ivory Coast, Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco

December 28, 2025: Ivory Coast 1-1 Cameroon, Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco

December 24, 2025: Ivory Coast 1-0 Mozambique, Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco

November 18, 2025: Oman 0-2 Ivory Coast, Al-Seeb Stadium, Seeb, Oman

November 14, 2025: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Ivory Coast, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

October 14, 2025: Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

October 10, 2025: Seychelles 0-7 Ivory Coast, Côte d'Or National Sports Complex, Saint Pierre, Mauritius

September 9, 2025: Gabon 0-0 Ivory Coast, Stade de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon

September 5, 2025: Ivory Coast 1-0 Burundi, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

June 10, 2025: Canada 0-0 (4-5 p) Ivory Coast, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

June 7, 2025: Ivory Coast 0-1 New Zealand, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada

March 25, 2025: Ivory Coast 1-0 Gambia, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

March 21, 2025: Burundi 0-1 Ivory Coast, Honneur Stadium, Meknes, Morocco

Ivory Coast will compete in Group I at the 2026 World Cup.

Emerse Fae made history by becoming the first manager to be appointed mid-tournament and go on to win it, achieving this during AFCON 2024. Fans of Reading FC may remember him from his brief Premier League spell in the 2006-07 season, where he made 11 appearances.

Since taking permanent charge of the national team, Fae has lost only five of his 25 matches as Ivory Coast’s head coach.

Amad Diallo, one of the team’s brightest attacking talents, continues to impress internationally. Known for his versatility, he successfully adapted to Ruben Amorim’s wing-back system before thriving again as a winger under Michael Carrick. Now 23, the Manchester United player is expected to play a vital role for the Elephants, just as he did in AFCON 2025.

Written by Ewan Gennery and Isaac Stacey Stronge