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| Team Cote D'Ivoire |
Côte d’Ivoire have officially unveiled their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with head coach Emerse Faé naming a strong and experienced group as the Elephants prepare for their return to football’s biggest stage after a 12-year absence.
The African champions head into the tournament carrying massive confidence following their historic AFCON 2023 triumph on home soil. Emerse Faé has selected a balanced squad filled with experienced leaders, exciting young talents and several Europe-based stars capable of competing with the world’s best.
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement is the inclusion of Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, Brighton star Simon Adingra and former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pépé, who returns to the national setup ahead of the tournament. The squad also includes highly rated striker Ange-Yoan Bonny after FIFA officially cleared him to represent Côte d’Ivoire internationally.
Captain Franck Kessié remains the leader of the team and is expected to play a crucial role in midfield alongside Ibrahim Sangaré, Seko Fofana and Jean-Michaël Seri. In defence, the Elephants will rely heavily on players such as Evan Ndicka, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomande and Wilfried Singo to provide stability and physical strength.
Goalkeeper Yahia Fofana is expected to start as the team’s number one ahead of Mohamed Koné and Alban Lafont, while Emerse Faé also named a list of reserve players including Sébastien Haller, who misses the main squad after struggling with injuries this season.
Côte d’Ivoire 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
Yahia Fofana (Çaykur Rizespor / Türkiye)
Mohamed Koné (Sporting Charleroi / Belgium)
Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos / Greece)
Defenders
Emmanuel Agbadou (Beşiktaş / Türkiye)
Clément Akpa (AJ Auxerre / France)
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP / Portugal)
Guela Doué (RC Strasbourg / France)
Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente / Portugal)
Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC / Italy)
Evan Ndicka (AS Roma / Italy)
Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray / Türkiye)
Midfielders
Seko Fofana (Al-Nassr / Saudi Arabia)
Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi / Belgium)
Christ Inao Oulaï (RC Lens / France)
Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli / Saudi Arabia)
Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest / England)
Jean-Michaël Seri (Al-Orobah / Saudi Arabia)
Attackers
Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion / England)
Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan / Italy)
Amad Diallo (Manchester United / England)
Oumar Diakité (Stade de Reims / France)
Yan Diomande (CD Leganés / Spain)
Evann Guessand (OGC Nice / France)
Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal CF / Spain)
Bazoumana Touré (Hammarby IF / Sweden)
Elye Wahi (Olympique Marseille / France)
Reserve Players
Ira Tapé
Christopher Operi
Malick Yalcouyé
Martial Godo
Sébastien Haller
The Elephants have been drawn into Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao, with many analysts believing Côte d’Ivoire have the quality and attacking depth to challenge for a place in the knockout stages.
This will be Côte d’Ivoire’s fourth appearance at a FIFA World Cup after previously competing in Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. Despite producing legendary players over the years, the Elephants are still searching for their first-ever qualification beyond the group stage.
With AFCON-winning momentum, a talented new generation and experienced leaders in key positions, Côte d’Ivoire head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup determined to make history and establish themselves among the elite nations in world football.
