By Nadia Ntiamoah
Head coach Emerse Faé has officially named Ivory Coast’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the former African champions prepare for their return to football’s biggest stage.
The Elephants secured one of Africa’s automatic qualification spots for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be hosted across United States, Canada and MeMexi
Ivory Coast head into the tournament carrying renewed confidence after winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil under Emerse Faé, who transformed the team following a difficult start to that tournament.
Tough Group Awaits The Elephants
The West African giants have been drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao.
Ivory Coast will begin their campaign against Ecuador on June 14 before facing Germany in what is expected to be one of the standout fixtures of the group stage.
They will conclude the opening phase against Curaçao.
The Elephants will be hoping to finally break beyond the group stage after previous appearances at the World Cups in 2006, 2010 and 2014 all ended in first-round elimination despite producing talented generations led by stars such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré.
Experienced Core Maintained
Faé has retained much of the core that delivered AFCON success while blending the squad with emerging attacking talents.
In goal, first-choice goalkeeper Yahia Fofana headlines the squad alongside Mohamed Koné and Alban Lafont.
The defence includes several established European-based players such as Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo, Ousmane Diomande and Odilon Kossounou.
Midfield responsibilities will once again rest heavily on experienced figures including Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana and Ibrahim Sangaré.
Exciting Attack Strengthens Squad
The attacking department reflects Ivory Coast’s growing depth in forward areas.
Amad Diallo, who has developed into one of the country’s brightest stars, leads a dangerous frontline alongside returning wingers Simon Adingra and Nicolas Pépé.
Both Adingra and Pépé missed the 2025 AFCON in Morocco but have now regained their places ahead of the World Cup.
Faé has also rewarded several emerging talents including Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi and Ange-Yoan Bonny with spots in the final squad.
Meanwhile, former Borussia Dortmund striker Sébastien Haller has been placed on the standby list.
Ivory Coast Target Historic Breakthrough
With a balanced squad blending tournament experience and youthful energy, Ivory Coast will be aiming to make a deeper World Cup run than ever before.
The Elephants are widely regarded as one of Africa’s strongest teams heading into the tournament following their recent continental triumph and the impressive form of several players across Europe.
Faé, who was initially appointed on an interim basis during the AFCON campaign before guiding the team to the title, now faces the challenge of translating continental success onto the global stage.
Ivory Coast Final 26-Man Squad
Goalkeepers:
Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Alban Lafont
Defenders:
Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo, Ousmane Diomande, Clément Akpa, Guela Doué, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou
Midfielders:
Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jean Michaël Seri, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulai
Attackers:
Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra, Nicolas Pépé, Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande, Oumar Diakité, Bazoumana Touré.
