Côte d’Ivoire Unveil 26-Man Squad For 2026 World Cup

Côte d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Faé officially unveiled the 26-man squad that will represent Les Éléphants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement,signals Faé’s clear tactical vision for a tournament that pits his team against formidable group-stage opponents.

Faé has carefully constructed a roster that marries the resilience of established superstars with the electric unpredictability of emerging young talents.

The most compelling storyline of the selection is the triumphant return of winger Nicolas Pépé. After a conspicuous absence from the squad that competed in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Pépé has forced his way back into the national setup.

His impressive form across the European season with Spanish side Villarreal CF—where he has consistently tormented defenders with his dribbling and finishing—has convinced Faé to bring him back.

Pépé is expected to inject a potent mixture of creativity, blistering pace, and big-tournament experience into the Ivorian attack.

Adding to the offensive firepower, Faé has handed a well-deserved call-up to Elye Wahi. The young striker’s explosive finish to the Ligue 1 season with OGC Nice, marked by a string of crucial goals, made him impossible to ignore.

Wahi joins a frontline that already reads like a defender’s nightmare, featuring the dynamic Brighton winger Simon Adingra, the nimble and skilful Amad Diallo (Manchester United), and the powerful Evann Guessand.

In the engine room of the team, the midfield retains its familiar, reassuring spine. The physical dominance and leadership of Franck Kessié, paired with the relentless energy and box-to-box prowess of Seko Fofana, will once again form the heartbeat of the side.

Adding layers of depth and tactical flexibility, the composed passing of Jean Michaël Seri and the ball-winning tenacity of Ibrahim Sangaré ensure that Faé has ample options to control the tempo against any opponent.

Defensively, Faé has opted for continuity, trusting the core group that has been instrumental in stabilizing the team throughout recent qualifying campaigns.

Between the posts, the coach has a trio of capable hands. Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, and the Franco-Ivorian shot-stopper Alban Lafont have been selected as the goalkeepers entrusted with guarding the Ivorian net.

Côte d’Ivoire has been drawn into a challenging Group E, where they will face four-time world champions Germany, the relentless South American side Ecuador, and the spirited underdogs from Curaçao.

Full 26-Man Squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

Goalkeepers:

· Yahia Fofana
· Mohamed Koné
· Alban Lafont

Defenders:

· Emmanuel Agbadou
· Clément Akpa
· Ousmane Diomandé
· Guéla Doué
· Ghislain Konan
· Odilon Kossounou
· Evan Ndicka
· Wilfried Singo

Midfielders:

· Seko Fofana
· Parfait Guiagon
· Christ Inao Oulaï
· Franck Kessié
· Ibrahim Sangaré
· Jean Michaël Seri

Forwards:

· Simon Adingra
· Ange-Yoan Bonny
· Amad Diallo
· Oumar Diakhité
· Yann Diomandé
· Evann Guessand
· Nicolas Pépé
· Bazoumana Touré
· Elye Wahi