Côte d’Ivoire, while not featuring its legendary stars from the past, is preparing for the 2026 World Cup with a competitive squad eager to make an impact. The team is placed in Group E alongside Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao. Under the interim guidance of Emerse Faé, who has now been confirmed in his role, the Ivorian national team triumphed in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, held in 2024. They secured their World Cup spot by dominating their qualifying group with eight wins and two draws.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Goals in the 2026 World Cup
The team’s primary aim is to advance beyond the group stage, a feat they have yet to achieve in their previous World Cup appearances in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Where Côte d’Ivoire Players Compete
Côte d’Ivoire’s squad comprises players predominantly based in Europe. None of them compete in their domestic league. The roster features talents from Europe’s top five leagues:
- Ligue 1 (France): Guela Doue, Simon Adingra, Elye Wahi
- Bundesliga (Germany): Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Touré
- La Liga (Spain): Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal)
- Premier League (England): Evann Guessand, Amad Diallo, Ibrahim Sangaré
- Serie A (Italy): Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Ange-Yoan Bonny
Among these players, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Amad Diallo stand out, representing Inter Milan and Manchester United, respectively. Yan Diomande has drawn attention from elite clubs like PSG and Liverpool and may transfer following the World Cup.
Overview of Côte d’Ivoire Squad for the 2026 World Cup
| 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 Sangaré | 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) |
This collection of talent reflects a strong commitment to compete and succeed on the world stage.
