Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae unveil final squad for 2026 World Cup

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has announced his squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The expanded tournament will feature 48 nations, with the West African giants securing one of Africa’s nine automatic qualification slots.

The Elephants have been drawn in Group E alongside European heavyweights Germany, Ecuador and Curacao. They will begin their campaign against Ecuador on June 14 before facing Germany and Curacao in their remaining group matches.

As preparations intensify for the global showpiece, Fae, who guided Ivory Coast to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title, has named a 26-man squad for the tournament.

Key figures in the squad include first-choice goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, defenders Evan Ndicka and Wilfried Singo, as well as midfield duo Franck Kessié and Seko Fofana.

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has also been included, while Simon Adingra and Nicolas Pépé make their return to the national team after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Promising young talents such as Ange-Yoan Bonny, Evann Guessand and Elye Wahi have also earned places in the squad for the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, former Borussia Dortmund striker Sebastien Haller has been named among the standby players.

Ivory Coast have featured at the FIFA World Cup three times in their history, making appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014. However, the Elephants are yet to progress beyond the group stage.

With a talented blend of experience and youth, Emerse Fae and his side will be hoping to make a significant impact at the 2026 tournament.

Below is the squad:

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Alban Lafont

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Wilfried Singo, Ousmane Diomande, Clement Akpa, Guela Doue, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou

Midfielders: Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana, Ibrahim Sangaré, Jean-Michaël Seri, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulai

Attackers: Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra, Nicolas Pépé, Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande, Oumar Diakite, Bazoumana Toure