The ‘Elephants’ have not been at the World Cup since 2014, and now former-player-turned coach Emerse Faé must inspire his squad to new heights.
For the first time since 2014, Côte d’Ivoire are heading to the FIFA World Cup.
The Elephants, ranked 34th globally, topped CAF Group F in qualifying with an unbeaten record — eight wins, two draws, and a goal difference of +25, the best in African qualification.
After exiting in the group stage in all three previous appearances (2006, 2010, 2014), the three-time African football champions will be desperate for a first World Cup knockout-round appearance.
They are drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao.
Quick facts
- Captain: Franck Kessié
- Manager: Emerse Faé
- World Cup appearances (including 2026): 4
- Best World Cup result: Group stage (2006, 2010, 2014)
FIFA World Cup 2026 – Côte d’Ivoire’s full squad
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Çaykur Rizespor), Mohamed Koné (Royal Charleroi SC), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos F.C.)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Beşiktaş J.K.), Clément Akpa (AJ Auxerre), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting CP), Guéla Doué (RC Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray S.K.)
Midfielders: Seko Fofana (FC Porto), Parfait Guiagon (Sporting Charleroi), Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor Kulübü), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest F.C.), Jean-Mickaël Seri (NK Maribor)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (AS Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge KSV), Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal CF), Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (OGC Nice)