Ivory Coast have become the first African nation to release their final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with coach Emerse Fae omitting former Manchester United and Galatasaray star Wilfried Zaha from the 26-man list. The three-time Africa Cup of Nations champions announced their squad on Friday, May 14, as they prepare for the tournament to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Fae Drops Zaha, Includes Young Talents
Emerse Fae has retained many players from the squad that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, while also adding younger talents. Zaha, who switched international allegiance to Ivory Coast in 2017, was named in the 2025 AFCON squad but has been left out entirely, not even making the standby list. The former Crystal Palace forward is currently on loan at Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, where he has scored two goals and provided two assists in 11 appearances this season, according to Transfermarkt.
Standby List and Omissions
2023 AFCON hero Sebastien Haller has been placed on the standby list alongside Martial Godo, Christopher Operi, Ira Tape, and Malick Yalcouye. Nottingham Forest defender Willy Boly has been dropped completely. The standby players will only be called up if injuries occur before the tournament.
Youth Movement in Attack
Fae is placing his trust in younger, more dynamic players. Uncapped Inter Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny, who previously represented France at Under-21 level, had his nationality switch approved by FIFA on May 8 and is included. Elye Wahi, on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from OGC Nice, also makes the squad after a remarkable turnaround. Other attacking options include Yan Diomande, Nicolas Pepe, Amad Diallo, and Bazoumana Toure, highlighting the depth available to Fae in the final third.
Fae stated: "Ivory Coast is not going to the World Cup to make up the numbers or go sightseeing. We are going with lofty goals and ambitions that live up to the expectations of the Ivorian people. This is a squad we have put together to make a big impact on the American continent."
Group Stage Challenge
Ivory Coast have been drawn in Group E alongside four-time World champions Germany, Ecuador, and Curacao. The Elephants secured their World Cup berth by beating Kenya 3-0 in a CAF Group F qualifier, having missed the previous two tournaments. They will aim to advance from the group stage for the first time since 2014.
