Côte d'Ivoire World Cup 2026 Squad: Full 26-Player Roster for Group E

Côte d'Ivoire are back. As of June 3, 2026, head coach Emerse Faé has named his 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup . The Elephants return to the tournament for the first time since Brazil 2014 — a 12-year absence . They arrive as the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, having won the 2023 edition on home soil for their third AFCON title .

This is the complete roster for Côte d'Ivoire in Group E: every player, their club, and their trailing 12-month numbers (as of June 3, 2026).

The full 26-player squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

A defence that conceded nothing in qualifying

The backbone of this squad is the back line (as of June 3, 2026). Côte d'Ivoire did not concede a single goal across their 10 World Cup qualifying matches . That record was built around Evan Ndicka, who leads the squad with 1,080 national-team minutes in the trailing 12 months . Alongside him, Odilon Kossounou of Atalanta and Emmanuel Agbadou of Beşiktaş have rotated as his centre-back partners.

There is one concern. Ndicka has been flagged with a physical discomfort issue described as lasting "a few days" . For a team that built its entire qualifying identity on keeping clean sheets, his fitness for the opener against Ecuador on June 14 is the single most important question Faé faces.

The midfield battle: Kessié, Sangaré, and the Seri question

Captain Franck Kessié wears the armband and still runs the midfield. He has 498 NT minutes across 6 appearances in the last 12 months . Behind him, the holding role is the squad's biggest tactical question. Veteran Jean Michaël Seri brings experience — 222 NT minutes in 6 appearances — but he has struggled since a long-term ankle injury . Ibrahim Sangaré, with 408 NT minutes in 6 appearances and a full season at Nottingham Forest (2,841 club minutes in 43 appearances), looks set to fill the gap (as of June 3, 2026).

Sébastien Fofana at FC Porto adds goals from midfield: 2 in 335 NT minutes. Bilal Touré of Hoffenheim has been efficient too — 2 goals in just 128 NT minutes (as of June 3, 2026).

Attackers built for the counter

This is where the squad gets exciting. Amad Diallo of Manchester United has been the most productive attacker in national-team terms: 3 goals and 2 assists in 400 NT minutes across 7 appearances . He is the player opposition coaches will plan around (as of June 3, 2026).

But the depth behind him is serious. Yan Diomandé at RB Leipzig has 13 club goals and 9 assists in 36 club appearances this season. Nicolas Pépé, back in the squad at Villarreal, has 8 club goals and 9 assists across 47 appearances. Elye Wahi at Nice brings 10 club goals in 37 appearances. Evann Guessand has 2 NT goals in 6 appearances from Crystal Palace (as of June 3, 2026).

And then there is Ange-Brou Bonny of Inter. He is uncapped in the last 12 months but has 7 goals and 7 assists in 49 club appearances. A wildcard (as of June 3, 2026).

Faé has nine forwards to choose from. That is depth most Group E opponents cannot match.

Recent form: 9 wins from 15

Over the last 15 national-team matches, Côte d'Ivoire have won 9, drawn 3, and lost 3, scoring 28 goals and conceding 8 . The March window was sharp: a 4-0 win over South Korea away and a 1-0 win over Scotland away. Only a loss to Egypt and a draw with Cameroon late last year showed cracks (as of June 3, 2026).

Group E schedule

Côte d'Ivoire face three matches in 11 days:

The opener against Ecuador is the crucial fixture. Germany will be favored in Toronto. A final matchday against Curaçao should be manageable — but only if the Elephants have points on the board by then .

What is the World Cup 2026 target for Côte d'Ivoire?

The federation's official target is the quarter-finals . That would mean topping or finishing second in Group E, then winning a round-of-32 match and a round-of-16 match. Ambitious, but not unreasonable for the reigning AFCON champions (as of June 3, 2026).

Who is the head coach of Côte d'Ivoire at the 2026 World Cup?

Emerse Faé. He took charge ahead of the AFCON 2023 tournament and led the Elephants to the title on home soil. He has kept the job through qualifying and into the World Cup. The defensive solidity of this team — zero qualifying goals conceded — is his signature .

When do Côte d'Ivoire play their first World Cup 2026 match?

Côte d'Ivoire open Group E against Ecuador on June 14, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia . It is their first World Cup match since the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

How many players are in Côte d'Ivoire's World Cup 2026 squad?

Emerse Faé named 26 players on May 15, 2026 . The squad includes 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 6 midfielders, and 9 forwards.

Who are the key players to watch for Côte d'Ivoire?

Defender Evan Ndicka of AS Roma leads the squad in NT minutes (1,080). Captain Franck Kessié runs the midfield. In attack, Amad Diallo has 3 goals and 2 assists in 7 NT appearances, and Yan Diomandé brings 13 club goals from RB Leipzig . The depth in forward positions gives Faé genuine options off the bench (as of June 3, 2026).

See the projected squad
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