Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé has been dealt another setback just days before the resumption of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
As the reigning African champions prepare for their crucial qualifier against Burundi on Friday in Meknes, Morocco, winger Bénie Traoré has been ruled out due to injury.
The 22-year-old FC Basel player, who has earned five caps for his national team, recently underwent surgery and will be unavailable for upcoming fixtures.
Traoré featured in Basel’s 2-1 defeat to Young Boys in the Swiss Super League on Sunday before the club confirmed in an official statement that he required wrist surgery.
Basel announced the procedure would take place on Monday, with the expectation that his recovery period will not be extensive.
“Bénie Traoré sustained a wrist fracture several weeks ago, which now requires surgical intervention.
The operation is scheduled for Monday, March 17, 2025.
He should not be out for too long,” the club stated.
Injury forces Traoré out of key fixtures
Despite Basel’s assurances regarding a swift recovery, Traoré will miss Ivory Coast’s match against Burundi on March 22, as well as the clash against Gambia at the Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on March 24.
This marks the second injury setback for Faé’s squad, following the withdrawal of Hamed Junior Traoré.
The attacking midfielder, who plays for Auxerre in France, suffered a shoulder injury during his club’s Ligue 1 match against Nice last week, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
As a result, Mohamed Diomandé of Glasgow Rangers has been called up as his replacement.
Ivory Coast, fresh from their triumph at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, currently leads their World Cup qualifying group and will be looking to maintain momentum despite these key absences.
With Faé having to make adjustments to his squad, the upcoming fixtures will serve as a test of the depth and resilience of the Elephants as they aim to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup.
