Ivory Coast are back at the World Cup after missing the last two editions in 2018 and 2022. The "Elephants" booked their place with an unbeaten qualification campaign, finishing first in Group F of the African qualifiers with eight wins and two draws, edging out a competitive challenge from Gabon. Despite their pedigree, Ivory Coast have never progressed beyond the group stage at a World Cup.
With a youthful and talented roster, they will look to break that ceiling in 2026. Leading the attack are Amad Diallo, who can operate in midfield or out wide, and forward Yan Diomandé, fresh off an impressive Bundesliga campaign with RB Leipzig. The federation and coaching staff also pulled off a notable coup by convincing Ange-Yoan Bonny, a former France youth international, to commit his international future to Ivory Coast. FIFA approved his nationality switch on May 8th, adding further firepower to the front line.
The Elephants will also draw on the experience of captain Franck Kessié, the midfielder with 102 caps and 15 goals for his country. Forward Nicolas Pépé is also included after being omitted from the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. He returned to the fold in March for a series of friendlies.
Notable absentees from the squad include Wilfried Zaha, Sébastien Haller, and Jérémie Boga.
Head coach Emerse Faé has made clear his ambitions for the tournament. "We're not going to the USA just to make up the numbers or go sightseeing. We're going with lofty goals and ambitions that live up to the expectations of the Ivorian people. So yes, this is a squad we've put together to make a big impact on the American continent," he said.
Ivory Coast will play a warm-up friendly against France on June 4th in Nantes before opening their World Cup campaign against Ecuador on June 14th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. They will then face Germany on June 20th at BMO Field in Toronto, before closing out the group stage against Curaçao on June 25th, back at Lincoln Financial Field.
Ivory Coast 2026 World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Beşiktaş), Clement Akpa (AJ Auxerre), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray)
Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Porto), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Bazoumana Toure (TSG Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (OGC Nice)
