Côte d’Ivoire Release Final 2026 World Cup Roster | OneFootball

Yesterday, Côte d’Ivoire became the first side in Group E to announce its final roster selection for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Group E also contains Germany, Ecuador and debutante Curaçao. They also became the first African nation to announce.

Recent Form

The Ivorians had a surprisingly tense qualifying campaign, even though they went undefeated with a final record of 8W, 2D. A strong Gabon team chased them the entire time, with only a narrow 1-0 win on June 7, 2025 being the difference maker.

There are few shocks in this squad, which is essentially the same group that advanced into the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations, where they fell to Egypt 3-2. It’s a young team, with only four players aged 30 or older and an average age of 25.1 years. But ignore them at your peril; they have the quality to embarrass if you give them room. South Korea learned this lesson in a recent friendly, losing 4-0.

Prominent Players

Defensively, Les Éléphants will rely on the pairing of Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande (pictured right) and AS Roma’s Evan N’Dicka.

These towering center-backs (6’4” and 6’3”) anchor the back line and provide an aerial threat on set-pieces.

Their right side has an embarrassment of riches in the attack, with Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Manchester United’s Amad Diallo both competing for starts. The former will be a player to watch. He’s already rumored to be a big summer transfer target; a strong World Cup showing could spike his value.

FC Porto midfielder Seko Fofana, who scored that decisive qualifying goal, was called up. So too was veteran Jean Michaël Seri, who has the distinction of being the oldest (34 years) and shortest (5’6”) member of the team.

Three selections haven’t been getting regular minutes with their club, but their experience warrants inclusion. Forward Evann Guessand is recovering from a knee injury, Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré will be working to get match fit, and Atalanta’s Odilon Kossounou only played in 19 matches this season due to a recurring muscle problem.

Côte d’Ivoire Full Roster

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards