Côte d’Ivoire enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a competitive spirit and the ambition to surprise their opponents. They are placed in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. Under the interim leadership of Emerse Faé, who has been confirmed as head coach, the team achieved victory in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, setting a strong tone for their World Cup campaign. Their qualifying journey was impressive, marked by eight wins and two draws, establishing them as the dominant force in their region. The primary goal now is to advance beyond the group stage, a feat they have struggled to achieve in their previous competitions in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Squad Overview
Under coach Emerse Faé, Côte d’Ivoire’s squad consists of players primarily competing in Europe’s top leagues. The talent pool includes notable names from various national clubs, contributing to a well-rounded team.
Player Distribution by League
- French Ligue 1: Guela Doue, Simon Adingra, Elye Wahi
- German Bundesliga: Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Touré
- Spanish La Liga: Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal)
- English Premier League: Evann Guessand, Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangare
- Italian Serie A: Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ange-Yoan Bonny
Notably, Amad Diallo plays for Manchester United, while Ange-Yoan Bonny represents Inter Milan. Diomande has drawn interest from top clubs like PSG and Liverpool, possibly seeking a transfer after the World Cup.
Full List of Côte d’Ivoire Players for World Cup 2026
| Name | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Yahia Fofana | Goalkeeper | Caykur Rizespor (Turkey) |
| Mohamed Koné | Goalkeeper | Charleroi (Belgium) |
| Alban Lafont | Goalkeeper | Panathinaikos (Greece) |
| Emmanuel Agbadou | Defender | Besiktas (Turkey) |
| Christopher Operi | Defender | Basaksehir (Turkey) |
| Ousmane Diomande | Defender | Sporting (Portugal) |
| Guela Doue | Defender | Strasbourg (France) |
| Ghislain Konan | Defender | Gil Vicente (Portugal) |
| Odilon Kossounou | Defender | Atalanta (Italy) |
| Evan Ndicka | Defender | Roma (Italy) |
| Wilfried Singo | Defender | Galatasaray (Turkey) |
| Seko Fofana | Midfielder | Porto (Portugal) |
| Parfait Guiagon | Midfielder | Charleroi (Belgium) |
| Christ Inao Oulaï | Midfielder | Trabzonspor (Turkey) |
| Franck Kessie | Midfielder | Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) |
| Ibrahim Sangare | Midfielder | Nottingham Forest (England) |
| Jean Michaël Seri | Midfielder | Maribor (Slovenia) |
| Simon Adingra | Forward | Monaco (France) |
| Ange-Yoan Bonny | Forward | Inter Milan (Italy) |
| Amad Diallo | Forward | Manchester United (England) |
| Oumar Diakité | Forward | Cercle Brugge (Belgium) |
| Yan Diomande | Forward | RB Leipzig (Germany) |
| Evann Guessand | Forward | Crystal Palace (England) |
| Nicolas Pépé | Forward | Villarreal (Spain) |
| Bazoumana Touré | Forward | Hoffenheim (Germany) |
| Elye Wahi | Forward | Nice (France) |
Côte d’Ivoire aims to leverage its European talent and strong recent performances to advance in the World Cup. With a focus on maximizing their potential, they are poised to make an impact during the tournament.
