Ivory Coast announce squad for March international break; Sebastian Haller included

The Elephants will face Gambia and Burundi in the qualifiers.

For their forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi & Gambia, Ivory Coast’s head coach Emerse Fae has selected a formidable 26-man roster.

After missing time due to injuries and conditioning issues, Sebastien Haller finally rejoins the national squad. As the Elephants look to maintain their lead in Group F, the Borussia Dortmund striker, who is presently on loan at FC Utrecht, strengthens the attacking line.

The ailing Jean Michael Seri has been replaced by Jean Philippe Gbamin, who last appeared for the national team in March 2023. Ibrahim Sangare, who missed the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, has returned to the team.

Wilfried Zaha of Galatasaray and Amad Diallo of Manchester United are still out with injuries. Zaha has not yet made an appearance under Fae and is currently on loan at Charlotte FC, an MLS team. Maxwel Cornet was left off the team despite his impressive performance in Serie A.

After making an impression at Ivory Coast’s U23 level, 23-year-old left-back Clement Akpa of AJ Auxerre receives his first senior call-up.

With 10 points from four games (3 wins, 1 draw), Ivory Coast are presently leading Group F. Burundi and Kenya trail with seven and five points, respectively, while Gabon are right behind with nine.

Ivory Coast name squad for FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Angers, France), Mohamed Koné (Adjamé, Abidjan), Ali Badra (AS Real Bamako, Mali)

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton, England), Clément Akpa (AJ Auxerre, France), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest, England), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting CP, Portugal), Guéla Doué (Strasbourg, France), Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy), Hassane Kamara (Udinese Calcio, Italy), Wilfried Singo (AS Monaco, France)

Midfielders: Jean Aholou (Angers SCO, France), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Zürich, Switzerland), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli Saudi, Saudi Arabia), Hamed Traoré (AJ Auxerre, France)

Forwards: Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Vakoun Bayo (Watford, England), Oumar Diakité (Stade de Reims, France), Evann Guessand (OGC Nice, France), Jean Krasso (Paris FC, France), Nicolas Pépé (Villarreal CF, Spain), Benié Traoré (FC Basel, Switzerland), Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands)

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