Strasbourg defender Ismaël Doukouré set for shock Ivory Coast switch as World Cup dream beckons

Strasbourg defender Ismaël Doukouré is reportedly on the verge of committing his international future to Ivory Coast, in a move that could significantly strengthen the West African nation ahead of a major tournament year.

Despite no official announcement, Doukouré, who was born in France is reported to have  agreed in principle to represent Ivory Coast after recent discussions involving his family and the national team setup.

According to reports, the key breakthrough came after a conversation between Doukouré’s father and Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé, which helped convince the Strasbourg defender to switch allegiance at senior level.

The player, who currently features for RC Strasbourg Alsace, is now said to be preparing the administrative steps required to obtain his Ivorian passport, a necessary process before completing the switch officially.

Sources further indicate that Doukouré is expected to be included in Faé’s next squad list, marking his first potential involvement with the Elephants senior setup if everything is finalized in time.

There is even growing optimism within Ivorian football circles that the defender could be part of the squad heading to the FIFA World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, should his paperwork and integration be completed smoothly.

While the move has yet to be formally confirmed by the player or federation, the development is being viewed as a major coup for Ivory Coast, as they continue to strengthen their squad with dual-national talent ahead of a highly competitive international cycle.