AFCON 2025: Sébastien Haller injury casts doubts over Ivory Coast plans ahead of continental tournament

Sébastien Haller’s hopes of featuring at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations appear to be fading after Utrecht coach Ron Jans cast serious doubt over the striker’s availability following a fresh injury setback.

The Ivory Coast forward, who had been named in Emerse Faé’s squad for the tournament set to begin in Morocco in the coming days, was forced off during Utrecht’s league match against NAC Breda on Sunday.

Introduced as a substitute, Haller’s return to action was short-lived, lasting just 12 minutes before he left the pitch in visible discomfort in the 80th minute.

Initial uncertainty surrounding the nature of the injury has now given way to growing concern.

Speaking after the 1-1 draw, Ron Jans confirmed that the issue involved Haller’s hamstring and suggested that the timing and severity of the injury could rule him out of the continental competition altogether.

Things aren’t going well for Sébastien. He still needs to undergo some tests, but he’s injured his hamstring. I think he’ll be out for a while. I don’t think he’ll go to the Africa Cup of Nations. It doesn’t make sense. An average hamstring injury lasts about six weeks, and by then the tournament will be practically over. It’s a real shame for him, Jans said.

Those remarks underline the scale of the disappointment for both player and country.

Haller’s inclusion in the squad had raised hopes that he would once again play a decisive role on the continental stage, particularly given his recent return from a previous spell on the sidelines.

However, with medical examinations still to be completed, the outlook remains bleak.

The timing of the injury is especially cruel.

With the Africa Cup of Nations just days away, there is little room for recovery, and the coaching staff now face the likelihood of reshaping their plans without one of their most experienced attackers.

While no official withdrawal has yet been confirmed, Jans’ assessment strongly suggests that participation would be unrealistic.

Haller’s situation also revives memories of his disrupted build-up to the previous edition of the tournament.

In 2024, he endured a lengthy absence through injury and was unable to feature during the early stages of the competition.

Despite that setback, he returned in time for the knockout rounds and left a lasting mark, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Nigeria.

That contribution cemented his place in the national team’s recent history and highlighted his ability to influence the biggest matches, even after periods of adversity.

The prospect of missing another Africa Cup of Nations through injury will therefore be a heavy blow, both personally and professionally.

For now, attention turns to further medical tests that will determine the full extent of the damage.

Until those results are known, uncertainty surrounds Haller’s immediate future and Ivory Coast’s attacking options heading into the tournament.

What is clear, however, is that the striker’s condition represents a significant concern at a critical moment.

With time against him and recovery unlikely before the latter stages, the signs point towards an enforced absence — an outcome that would deprive the competition of a proven match-winner and leave Ivory Coast adjusting to a major late setback.