Ivory Coast Name Final 26 for the World Cup: Adingra Rewarded, Haller Drops to Reserve List
Emerse Fae has unveiled the Ivory Coast squad for the 2026 World Cup on RTI1. Franck Kessié, Evan Ndicka, Nicolas Pépé and Wilfried Singo lead the experienced core. Simon Adingra is in after a strong run at AS Monaco. Ange-Yoan Bonny is set for his first major tournament. Sébastien Haller drops to the reserve list.
I vory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has officially unveiled the Elephants' final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. The list was announced on Friday in a presentation broadcast on RTI1 and blends an experienced core, physical depth at the back and attacking pace through the wide forwards. The Elephants reach a World Cup for the fourth time, on the back of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations triumph on home soil.
The headline names of the spine are Franck Kessié in midfield, Evan Ndicka and Wilfried Singo across the defensive line, and Nicolas Pépé in attack. Fae has also rewarded Simon Adingra, included after a strong run with AS Monaco, and called up Ange-Yoan Bonny, who is on course for his first major tournament with the senior team. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, Nice forward Evann Guessand and Marseille striker Elye Wahi anchor the attacking depth.
The most discussed individual decision is Sébastien Haller. The veteran striker did not make the 26 but appears on the federation's reserve list, alongside Ira Tapé, Christopher Operi, Malick Yalcouyé and Martial Godo. Under FIFA's pre-tournament rules, any of these players can step into the squad if a 26-man pool player suffers a serious injury before the opening match.
In goal, Fae has selected Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné and Alban Lafont. The defensive line runs eight deep with Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Ndicka and Singo. The midfield brings together Seko Fofana, Parfait Guiagon, Christ Inao Oulaï, Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré and Jean-Michaël Seri.
The attacking band is the deepest area, with nine names: Adingra, Bonny, Diallo, Oumar Diakité, Yan Diomandé, Guessand, Pépé, Bazoumana Touré and Wahi. The blend of established Premier League and Ligue 1 pace plus the experience of Pépé gives Fae a wide menu of partnerships, with Kessié the connector between the back and the attack. Ivory Coast travel to North America targeting a return to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2014.