Ivory Coast defender Oumar Solet awaits FIFA clearance for international debut

Oumar Solet will have to wait longer to make his debut for the Ivory Coast national team after FIFA failed to complete the process required to approve his change of international association.

The defender was included in head coach Hervé Renard’s squad for the third and fourth matchdays of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but remains unavailable for selection until the necessary authorisation is granted by football’s world governing body.

Solet recently decided to represent Ivory Coast at international level instead of France, making him eligible to switch his international allegiance to the West African nation.

However, despite receiving his first call-up to the Elephants, the defender is yet to obtain FIFA’s approval to officially represent his new national team.

As a result, he was unable to feature in Ivory Coast’s 2-1 victory over The Gambia on Thursday, November 12, and will also miss the return encounter scheduled for November 17.

The Ivorian Football Federation has confirmed that the administrative process surrounding the player’s change of association remains ongoing.

In an official statement, the federation explained that Solet’s case has been submitted to FIFA for examination, but the governing body has yet to communicate a final decision.

The delay means the defender’s international debut will depend entirely on when FIFA completes its assessment and grants the necessary clearance.

Given the procedures involved in processing a change of international association, a final response may not arrive before the current international break comes to an end.

Solet will therefore have to remain patient as he awaits the green light to begin his international career with the Elephants.

His anticipated arrival is expected to provide another defensive option for Renard as Ivory Coast continue preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

For now, the defender’s immediate focus will be on awaiting FIFA’s decision, with his first appearance in the Ivorian colours still uncertain.