FIFA WC 2026 - Côte d'Ivoire: Emerse Faé in the moment of choice
This Friday, May 15, the Ivorian fans hold their breath. Emerse Faé will announce his list of 26 players for the 2026 World Cup. The selector will have strong choices to make.
Philemon MBALE · Author profile ·
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Côte d'Ivoire returns to the World Cup after twelve years of absence, having finished at the top of their qualifying group ahead of Gabon. The Elephants, located in a group with Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao, are ambitious. Their goal is clear: to finally get a qualification for the eighth finals, a first in their history. To do this, Emerse Faé has a wide range of choices.
Guaranteed seats?
In the goals, Yahia Fofana and Alban Lafont compete for the position of number one, with Fofana slightly favorite thanks to his convincing performances in the Turkish first division. Mohamed Koné from Charleroi should take on the role of third keeper, some Ivorian media believe.
In defense, several names already seem to be ahead of the competition. First to Guéla Doué, who excelled with Strasbourg, and also to Evan Ndicka, the defense boss. Odilon Kossouniu, Ghislain Konan, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ousmane Diomandé and Wilfried Singo should complete this solid defensive sector.
In the midfield, Ibrahim Sangaré, author of a remarkable season at Nottingham Forest, will be one of the players to watch. Captain Franck Kessié will lead his team, possibly supported by Seko Fofana.
An XXL attack
In front, Amad Diallo, brilliant in the last CAN with three goals in three starts, arrives in full confidence after a great season with Manchester United. Yan Diomandé, revelation of the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig, is also highly anticipated.
These two wingers should be the balloon providers for the two binationals who are expected for this World Cup with Côte d'Ivoire: Ange-Yoan Bony (Inter Milan) and Elye Wahi. These two antecenters should be part of the adventure.
The unknowns Haller and Pepe
Sébastien Haller, hero of the AFCON 2023, hopes to overcome his physical difficulties to be at the appointment. A question also looms around Nicolas Pépé. Brilliant with Villarreal, the left-hander had been zapped during AFCON 2025 in Morocco, before returning during the March truce. It remains to be seen if he will be in the good graces of his coach. In any case, Emerse Faé will have to make a decision this Friday.
In preparation, Côte d'Ivoire will face France in a friendly on June 4 in Nantes, a leading test to gauge the level of elephants before getting to the heart of the matter.