Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae hopes forward Sébastien Haller regain fitness before 2026 World Cup

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae is hoping that forward Sébastien Haller will recover in tie for the 2026 World Cup tournament after missing significant action due to injury.

The Utrecht forward, who missed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations due to a muscle injury, is yet to fully recover, casting fresh doubt over his short-term future with the national team.

Haller was once again left out of the Elephants squad, as the three time AFCON champions gears up for the preparatory games this month.

According to Fae, the absence of the attacker from his team for the upcoming games purely bounds down to his physical condition.

Despite the disappointment surrounding his continued absence, there remains a sense of patience and support within the national team setup.

“We feel sorry for Haller. Before talking about difficulties, it is mainly physically that he is struggling to recover,” the coach admitted. “What saddens us is that he is unable to perform at his best.”

Haller, once a central figure in Ivory Coast’s attacking line, has endured a frustrating period marked by injuries and inconsistent availability. His absence continues to be felt, especially as the Elephants look to rebuild momentum and cohesion ahead of future competitive fixtures.

There is, however, cautious optimism within the camp. The coaching staff remains hopeful that the 29-year-old can rediscover full fitness in time for the next major international assignments, particularly with an eye on the upcoming global stage.

“We hope that by the time of the World Cup, he will have regained his physical fitness and that this will allow him to express himself on the pitch,” the coach added.

For now, Haller’s focus remains firmly on recovery, as both player and country wait for the return of a striker capable of leading the line with power, precision, and presence when fully fit.

Ivory Coast will take South Korea on March 28 before their game against Scotland on March 31.