Troyes defender Junior Diaz earns Ivory Coast call-up after Odilon Kossounou injury

Troyes centre-back Junior Diaz has been called up to the Ivory Coast national team following an injury to Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou.

The Ivorian Football Federation has confirmed Diaz’s inclusion in head coach Hervé Renard’s squad for the September–October 2026 international window, handing the young defender an opportunity to represent the Elephants during their upcoming fixtures.

Diaz has been brought into the squad as a replacement for Kossounou, who has been ruled out through injury and will therefore miss the opening matches of Ivory Coast’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Troyes defender will now join the Elephants as they prepare for a busy period that includes two AFCON qualifiers and a friendly international.

Ivory Coast will begin their qualifying campaign with a highly anticipated encounter against Ghana on Thursday, September 24, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké.

The fixture will see the Elephants face their West African neighbours in what is expected to be a competitive opening qualifier, with both nations looking to make a positive start to their journey towards the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Following the clash with Ghana, Renard’s side will return to AFCON qualifying action on September 29 when they take on Somalia at the Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Stadium.

Diaz will be available to the coaching staff for both matches as he looks to make an impression during his first involvement with the senior national team.

Ivory Coast will then conclude the international window with a friendly against Cameroon on October 3 in Abidjan.

The inclusion of Diaz provides Renard with an additional defensive option following Kossounou’s withdrawal and gives the Troyes centre-back a chance to gain valuable experience at international level.

The defender will now link up with the Ivory Coast squad as the Elephants begin preparations for their crucial AFCON qualifiers, with the technical team hoping he can quickly adapt to the demands of the senior national team.