Ivory Coast: Emerse Faé to announce Ivory Coast squad on March 23 ahead of international friendlies

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé will unveil his latest squad on Friday, March 23, as confirmed by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF).

The announcement, scheduled to take place during a press conference, comes ahead of a set of international friendlies in June that will serve as preparation for upcoming competitive fixtures.

The reigning African champions are set to participate in a friendly tournament in Toronto, Canada, where they will face Ukraine on June 7, followed by a match against New Zealand three days later.

Both encounters will take place at the BMO Field, a venue chosen by the hosts for this mini-competition.

The announcement of the squad is expected to draw particular attention, especially given the uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of forward Oumar Diakité.

The 21-year-old, who has earned 15 caps and scored twice for the national team, has struggled for form and fitness in recent months.

Without a goal since last November, Diakité has seen limited minutes at Stade de Reims as the Ligue 1 side battles to secure top-flight survival.

While the young striker has reportedly enjoyed the confidence of Faé in the past—often described as a “favourite” of the coach—his current standing is far from assured.

His lack of match rhythm and sharpness could lead to his omission from the upcoming squad, particularly with several promising dual-national players and emerging domestic talents staking their claim.

This international window is seen as a crucial stepping stone for Faé as he begins shaping his squad for two key targets: the resumption of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the defence of the Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco next year.

The 2025 edition of the tournament is set to take place between 21 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.

With expectations high following the country’s recent continental triumph, all eyes will be on Faé’s decisions this Friday.

The balance between loyalty to experienced players and the integration of fresh talent could define the Elephants’ trajectory in the months to come.