Ivory Coast return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2014, and they do so with an entirely new World Cup generation. The Elephants — winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations — carry genuine continental pedigree into North America, and their squad is built from a strong European-based core with players competing at the highest levels of club football.
Manager Emerse Faé has assembled a group led by Franck Kessié, Seko Fofana and Ibrahim Sangaré in midfield, with Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pépé, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Elye Wahi providing the attacking threat. Every player in this squad is making their World Cup debut.
Group E: Germany · Curaçao · Ivory Coast · Ecuador
Opening match: Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador — 14 June 2026, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Full Squad
| Player | Position | Club | Previous World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yahia Fofana | Goalkeeper | Rizespor | 0 |
| Mohamed Koné | Goalkeeper | Charleroi | 0 |
| Alban Lafont | Goalkeeper | Panathinaikos | 0 |
| Emmanuel Agbadou | Defender | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 |
| Clément Akpa | Defender | AJ Auxerre | 0 |
| Ousmane Diomande | Defender | Sporting CP | 0 |
| Guela Doué | Defender | Racing Strasbourg | 0 |
| Ghislain Konan | Defender | Gil Vicente | 0 |
| Odilon Kossounou | Defender | Atalanta | 0 |
| Evan Ndicka | Defender | AS Roma | 0 |
| Wilfried Singo | Defender | Galatasaray | 0 |
| Seko Fofana | Midfielder | Porto | 0 |
| Parfait Guiagon | Midfielder | Charleroi | 0 |
| Christ Oulaï | Midfielder | Trabzonspor | 0 |
| Franck Kessié | Midfielder | Al Ahli | 0 |
| Ibrahim Sangaré | Midfielder | Nottingham Forest | 0 |
| Jean-Michaël Seri | Midfielder | NK Maribor | 0 |
| Simon Adingra | Forward | AS Monaco | 0 |
| Ange-Yoan Bonny | Forward | Inter Milan | 0 |
| Amad Diallo | Forward | Manchester United | 0 |
| Oumar Diakité | Forward | Cercle Brugge | 0 |
| Yan Diomande | Forward | RB Leipzig | 0 |
| Evann Guessand | Forward | Aston Villa | 0 |
| Nicolas Pépé | Forward | Villarreal | 0 |
| Bazoumana Touré | Forward | Hoffenheim | 0 |
| Elye Wahi | Forward | Nice | 0 |
Key Players to Watch
Amad Diallo is one of the most exciting players in the squad. The Manchester United winger has established himself in the Premier League with a combination of pace, technical quality and an eye for goal. At a World Cup where wide threats are decisive, Diallo's ability to beat defenders one-on-one could be Ivory Coast's most dangerous weapon.
Franck Kessié brings the physical and technical authority the midfield needs. His experience playing for Barcelona and now Al Ahli, combined with his combative style and ability to carry the ball forward, makes him the heartbeat of the team.
Ousmane Diomande is one of the most highly regarded young centre-backs in Europe. The Sporting CP defender is still in his early twenties but plays with composure and authority. His reading of the game and aerial presence will be critical against the attacking threats of Germany and Ecuador.
Group Stage Outlook
Group E is one of the tournament's most interesting. Germany are considered among the top three favourites for the whole competition. Ecuador bring South American quality and experience at recent World Cups. Curaçao are making their debut and will be learning as they go.
Ivory Coast's route to the round of 16 runs through their game against Ecuador. Win that fixture and the Elephants create serious momentum. A draw or defeat and they need a result against Germany, which is a far steeper challenge.
The Elephants' strength is their attacking depth. With nine or ten forwards and wide players in the squad capable of creating danger, Faé has options to adapt his approach depending on the opponent. If the defence can hold its shape, Ivory Coast are capable of beating anyone in the group stage.
A New World Cup Generation
Every player in this squad is making their first World Cup appearance. The last time Ivory Coast competed at this tournament, Didier Drogba led the line and the team featured players who had been the foundation of Ivorian football for over a decade. That generation has completely turned over.
This squad represents the first graduates of what Ivory Coast has built since their 2014 exit — players who have grown up in European academies, competed in the Champions League and Europa League, and who are now ready to carry their country on the biggest stage.
FAQ
When did Ivory Coast last play at the World Cup before 2026?
Ivory Coast last appeared at the FIFA World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.
Who manages Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup?
Emerse Faé, who took over the national team and led them to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations title.
Who are Ivory Coast's star players at the 2026 World Cup?
Amad Diallo, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ousmane Diomande and Elye Wahi are among the most prominent names in the squad.
When do Ivory Coast play their first game at the 2026 World Cup?
Côte d'Ivoire open Group E against Ecuador on 14 June 2026 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.