Evan Ndicka injury casts doubt over Ivory Coast World Cup plans

Ivory Coast’s World Cup preparations have been dealt a setback after defender Evan Ndicka suffered a hamstring injury while playing for AS Roma during the Rome derby on Sunday, 17 May 2026.

The 26-year-old was forced off during the match, an incident that immediately raised concern within both his club and national team camps given his importance to Ivory Coast’s defensive structure ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Medical examinations conducted the following day confirmed the extent of the injury. Ndicka has sustained a grade II tear in his right hamstring, with reports indicating a recovery period of around three to four weeks.

The injury is expected to bring his domestic season with Roma to an early conclusion, shifting attention toward whether he will recover in time to participate in the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

The timing of the setback presents a challenge for the Ivorian national team, with Ndicka now facing a race against the clock to regain full fitness before the competition begins.

Ivory Coast are set to open their Group E campaign against Ecuador, and his availability for that fixture is now in doubt.

The defender had only recently been named in Ivory Coast’s 26-man squad for the tournament by head coach Emerse Faé, underlining his status as a key figure in the team.

Since making his international debut in 2023, the former Auxerre academy graduate has earned 27 caps and established himself as a regular starter at the heart of the Ivory Coast defence.

The latest injury leaves the national team management assessing whether the recovery timeline will allow one of their most experienced defenders to return in time for the start of the tournament or whether adjustments will be required closer to the competition.

Reports in Afrique Top Sports, also cited by Abidjantv, suggest the focus now is on rehabilitation, with the next few weeks likely to be decisive in determining Ndicka’s participation at the World Cup.