Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé is grappling with a growing list of injuries and form concerns as the Elephants prepare for their 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi on March 17 and Gambia on March 24.
Key players, including Amad Diallo, Odilon Kossounou, Christopher Opéri, and Emmanuel Agbadou, are all set to miss the upcoming fixtures or remain doubtful, forcing Faé to consider fresh faces for the national squad.
Agbadou, who sustained an injury during a match against Liverpool, remains a major doubt.
While there is hope he might recover in time, his availability is far from certain. Kossounou’s situation is even more concerning.
The Bayer Leverkusen defender underwent surgery for a musculo-tendinous injury, effectively ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
Adding to the defensive headache, Opéri continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Jean-Michael Seri, sidelined since September, has yet to return to full fitness.
Meanwhile, forward Amad Diallo could also be unavailable, with reports suggesting he may undergo surgery that would sideline him for the qualifiers.
Faé’s problems are not limited to injuries. A dip in form among key players adds another layer of complexity.
Simon Adingra, who played a pivotal role during the recent AFCON campaign, has struggled for minutes at Brighton, raising concerns over his match sharpness.
Likewise, Sebastien Haller has yet to find the net in league action this season, leaving questions about his current form.
Despite the challenges, there are some positives for the Elephants. Midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré has found his stride at Nottingham Forest and is expected to be a crucial figure in the upcoming matches.
Wilfried Singo, Jérémie Boga, and Nicolas Pépé, all of whom have recently returned from injuries, are also likely to make the squad.
Faé is also monitoring several in-form players who could bolster the team. Clément Akpa, Hassane Kamara, Chris Bédia, Marius Trésor Doh, and Maxwel Cornet have all impressed at club level and could be in contention for a call-up when the final squad is announced in early March.
Ivory Coast currently sits atop Group F in the CAF World Cup qualifiers with 10 points, narrowly leading Gabon (9 points) and Burundi (7 points).
The upcoming matches present a crucial opportunity for the Elephants to strengthen their position as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
However, Faé’s squad selection will require careful consideration, balancing experienced players returning from injury with emerging talents eager to make their mark on the international stage.
The absence of key figures could open doors for new names, but it also places added pressure on the squad to maintain their momentum.
With the final list of players expected in the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Faé as he navigates this critical phase of the qualifiers, aiming to keep Ivory Coast on course for another World Cup appearance despite the mounting challenges.
