Wilfried Zaha has once again been excluded from Ivory Coast’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Gabon, with coach Emerse Faé clarifying his reasoning behind the decision.
The list, revealed on 27 August, immediately drew strong reactions online.
Supporters expressed surprise and disappointment, questioning whether Zaha, who has been in good form for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, was being unfairly overlooked.
Faé responded by stressing that his selection was based on tactical balance rather than individual form.
He’s performing very well with Charlotte FC in MLS, but we’ve selected players who fit better with our game plan against Burundi and Gabon. The door isn’t closed, the coach stated.
While acknowledging Zaha’s quality, Faé insisted that other attacking profiles were better suited to the upcoming fixtures.
His remarks suggest the forward remains in contention for future call-ups, though his immediate return to the Elephants’ squad is not guaranteed.
The decision underlines Faé’s determination to build a team shaped around his tactical vision, even if it means leaving out high-profile names.
