Bazoumana Toure Earns Maiden Ivory Coast World Cup Call As Nicolas Pépé and Simon Adingra Return
After years away from football’s biggest stage, 3-time African champions Côte d’Ivoire are back at the FIFA World Cup, with head coach Emerse Faé unveiling a squad packed with experience, flair and exciting young talent for the 2026 tournament.
The Elephants return to the global showpiece for the first time since 2014 following an impressive qualification campaign that saw them finish unbeaten in their CAF qualifying group.
Among the biggest talking points in the squad announcement is the inclusion of highly-rated youngster Bazoumana Toure, whose rapid rise at TSG Hoffenheim has continued to attract attention across Europe.
The young winger has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Germany, establishing himself as one of Hoffenheim’s most exciting attacking prospects with his pace, direct dribbling and eye for goal. Toure has contributed 5 goals and 12 assists this campaign as Hoffenheim are in search of a champions League position, earning widespread praise for his maturity and creativity in the final third.
Faé’s decision to include him signals growing confidence in the new generation expected to lead Ivorian football into a new era.
Another major storyline is the return of Nicolas Pépé and Simon Adingra who both missed out on the 2025 AFCON squad despite heavily contributing to the country’s 2023 triumph.
Pépé, in particular, now gets another opportunity to represent Les Éléphants on the international stage after putting previous disappointments behind him. Recently speaking about his national team future, Pépé insisted he remains fully committed to the country whenever called upon.
The squad also retains the spine of the team that conquered Africa, including captain Franck Kessié, midfield powerhouse Seko Fofana, goalkeeper Yahia Fofana and defensive leaders Evan Ndicka and Odilon Kossounou.
In attack, Faé will also rely on the creativity of Amad Diallo, the explosiveness of Simon Adingra and the energy of Elye Wahi as Ivory Coast aim to make an impact in North America.
Côte d’Ivoire have been drawn in Group E, where they will face Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao.
The Ivorians will head into the competition hoping to finally move beyond the group stage after previous appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014 all ended in first-round exits.
Côte d’Ivoire 2026 FIFA World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers
- Yahia Fofana
- Alban Lafont
- Mohamed Koné
Defenders
- Emmanuel Agbadou
- Clément Akpa
- Evan Ndicka
- Ousmane Diomandé
- Guéla Doué
- Wilfried Singo
- Ghislain Konan
- Odilon Kossounou
Midfielders
- Seko Fofana
- Parfait Guiagon
- Franck Kessié (Captain)
- Ibrahim Sangaré
- Jean-Michaël Seri
- Inaô Oulai
Forwards
- Elye Wahi
- Simon Adingra
- Amad Diallo
- Yan Diomandé
- Nicolas Pépé
- Evan Guessand
- Bazoumana Touré
- Ange Yoann Bonny
- Oumar Diakité
