FIFA WC 2026: Karim Konaté, Gboho... the big absentees from Côte d'Ivoire

In this group, there are already regulars of the national team and who would have liked to complete the circle with a participation in the World Cup, knowing that Côte d'Ivoire has not played since 2014, but also others who were hoping to receive their first call-up.

Yann Gboho
He was one of the most anticipated players in recent months in the Côte d'Ivoire national team. Having had a great season in Toulouse (10 goals and 3 assists in 35 games), Yann Gboho, who opened the door to Côte d'Ivoire a few months ago and even spent mid-April, completed the formalities for changing his sports nationality at the Consulate of Côte d'Ivoire in France. was not selected by Emerse Faé. His story with the Elephants will therefore begin after the World Cup.

And yet, Yann Gboho believed it until the very end: "I will be attentive to the list of Côte d'Ivoire, of course. I hope to have the honor of being there and playing in the World Cup," he said again this Friday morning at a press conference, a few hours before the announcement of the list. Unfortunately, he will not be part of the trip with the Elephants, the fault to a sector so saturated that Martial Godo (14 goals and 6 assists in 43 games) has only had one reserve player position, ahead of Yan Diomandé, Simon Adingra and Bazoumana Touré.

Karim Konaté
Back in top form since February after a long absence following his ruptured cruciate ligaments, Karim Konaté had a chance to return to the national team. Even after being snubbed by Emerse Faé in March, the RB Salzburg striker will not go to the World Cup with Côte d'Ivoire. With 8 goals and one assist in 21 games, he still managed his second half of the season and can now look forward to the next one more calmly.

Ismael Doukouré
He was in the same situation as Ange-Yoan Bonny, who also changed his sports nationality in March. Naturally, many thought they would see Ismaël Doukouré on Emerse Faé’s list for the World Cup. But the central defender from Strasbourg will be patient before wearing the jersey of the Elephants of Côte d'Ivoire, despite a strong club season (42 games with 2 goals and 2 assists).

Wilfried Zaha
Evolving in MLS, Wilfried Zaha would have been a considerable asset for the Elephants in terms of acclimatization and local references. But the Charlotte FC center forward was left at the dock by Emerse Faé, despite his versatility that allows him to play in all positions of the attack.

Willy Boly
One of the most experienced players in the Ivorian national team, Willy Boly could have played a role as an ever-negligible elder in a selection, alongside his young teammates at the World Cup. But his poor playing time in Nottingham, coupled with a knee injury that has kept him off the field since February, got the better of him. At 35, we should never see the champion of Africa wearing the Elephants' jersey again.

Vakoun Bayo
Present in the Ivorian group during the last AFCON in Morocco, Vakoun Bayo would not have imagined a list of Côte d'Ivoire for the World Cup without him three months ago. But as football is very dynamic, the Udinese center-forward ended up losing his place in the national team, which was also the result of a disappointing season in Italy (2 assists and zero goals in 15 matches in all competitions).

Bénie Traoré
It’s probably the player who will take time to digest his absence from the list of Elephants for the 2026 World Cup. Bénie Traoré, despite her 11 goals and 5 assists in 39 games will watch the World Cup on TV. Even more striking, he is the only one (Martial Godo being a reservist) of all the players present during the March truce to not have been selected for this World Cup. A disappointment with which the left wing of FC Basel will have to live.

Jean-Philippe Krasso
He was also at the 2025 AFCON with the Elephants, but Jean-Philippe Krasso will not go to the United States with Côte d'Ivoire for the 2026 World Cup. The Paris FC striker had a season that was far from expected (2 goals and 2 assists in 25 games) with the Parisians even before his knee injury at the end of March.

Armel Zohouri
Also present in Morocco during the last Africa Cup of Nations, Armel Zohouri was left out by Emerse Faé for the World Cup. The versatile defender (right back and central defender) of FC Iberia 1999 will also support the Elephants from afar. Just like Chris Bedia, who made a sensational season in Switzerland with the Young Boys (22 goals and 5 assists in 47 games).