Kessie
In February 2024, Sébastien Haller scored in the semifinal and the final as Ivory Coast won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. It was one of the great redemption stories in African football — a striker who had battled testicular cancer at Borussia Dortmund, rebuilt his career, and delivered the biggest trophy in his nation's history. Eighteen months later, Emerse Faé has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, and Haller is not in it.
The omission is not a shock in the strictest sense. Haller has barely played this season at FC Utrecht, and competition for places has intensified. But symbolism matters, and the man who made himself a national hero two years ago will watch the World Cup from home. "Participating in a World Cup is a dream that has become a goal," Haller said before the announcement, "but I'm one of the players who hasn't been selected for a while, so it's clear this makes my place uncertain." Faé, who replaced Jean-Louis Gasset mid-tournament during that AFCON run and has remained in charge ever since, has moved on.
Nine forwards is a statement. Faé has loaded the squad with attacking options, and the depth is genuinely impressive. Amad Diallo of Manchester United arrives as the squad's most high-profile attacker after his strongest season at club level — electric, two-footed, and capable of producing moments that change games. Yan Diomandé of RB Leipzig, still only 21, has emerged as one of the most exciting young players in the Bundesliga and could be the breakout star of the tournament.
Ange-Yoan Bonny of Inter Milan is a remarkable inclusion. The 22-year-old, who joined Inter from Parma this season, represented France at under-21 level and only had his nationality switch to Ivory Coast approved by FIFA on May 8 — a week before the squad was announced. Elye Wahi, on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from Nice, earned a debut in March after Faé had previously appeared to rule him out, and convinced the coach to include him. Nicolas Pépé, now at Villarreal, provides experience. Simon Adingra of Monaco and Bazoumana Touré of Hoffenheim — both of whom debuted for Ivory Coast in October 2025 — offer pace and youth from the wings.
What the attack lacks is a focal point. Haller's absence means there is no traditional number nine with tournament pedigree — though the door is not fully closed, with Faé naming him among his five reserves. Bonny, Wahi, and Oumar Diakité of Cercle Brugge are the center-forward options, but none have played a World Cup match. Evann Guessand of Crystal Palace, included despite not featuring for his club since April 9 due to injury, adds further uncertainty. It is a gap Faé has chosen to live with.
Franck Kessié of Al-Ahli captains the side from midfield with 99 caps, though his availability carries an asterisk — the 29-year-old was substituted with an injury after 32 minutes of a Saudi Pro League match in mid-May. He has been named regardless, a signal of his importance, but his fitness will need monitoring. Ibrahim Sangaré of Nottingham Forest provides the physical presence alongside him. The defense is anchored by Evan Ndicka of Roma and Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta — two center-backs playing at the highest level in Serie A. Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP, at 22, could emerge as one of the tournament's best defenders. Guela Doué, the older brother of France's Désiré Doué, plays for Strasbourg and adds depth.
The squad
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Beşiktaş), Clément Akpa (Auxerre), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray)
Midfielders: Seko Fofana (Porto), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli), Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michaël Seri (Maribor)
Forwards: Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomandé (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal), Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (Eintracht Frankfurt, on loan from Nice)
Ivory Coast are in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao. They open against Ecuador on June 14 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, then face Germany on June 20 at BMO Field in Toronto, and close against Curaçao back in Philadelphia on June 25.
Ivory Coast have never advanced past the group stage of a World Cup. In 2006, 2010, and 2014, they were eliminated at the first hurdle each time — squads featuring Didier Drogba, Yaya Touré, and Kolo Touré unable to translate their club excellence into tournament progress. This squad does not have a Drogba. It has Amad Diallo and Yan Diomandé and a collection of talented players spread across Europe's top leagues. Whether that is enough to break the pattern is the question Faé's team will spend June trying to answer.