Sebastian Haller leads Ivory Coast's star-studded squad against Harambee Stars

Ivory Coast head coach Fae Emerse has named a strong squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Gabon and the Harambee Stars, scheduled for June 7 and June 11, respectively.

The Ivorians, who triumphed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil in February, are eager to maintain their impressive form from recent friendlies.

Fae has retained the core of the squad that achieved AFCON glory, including UEFA Champions League finalist Sebastian Haller, while also calling up five new players.

Notable names in the squad, besides Haller—who scored the decisive goal in the AFCON final against Nigeria—include AS Roma midfielder Evan Ndicka, who recently recovered from a health scare, and former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe.

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However, Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has been surprisingly omitted, despite ending the season strongly, alongside full-back Serge Aurier.

Fae has also called up Lorient forward Mohammed Bamba, who in 2023 was called up to the Guinea National Team but opted to play for the Elephants, as well as Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande, previously called up by Ghana for their March friendlies.

Other new additions to the squad are Evann Guessand, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Christopher Opéri, while goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare, who plays for South Africa’s Sekhukhune United, makes a return to the team.

The Elephants will be hoping to continue their bright start to the campaign, having taken control of their group with six points after two matches and boasting a superior goal difference of 11 compared to second-placed Gabon's two.

With the World Cup format changing to accommodate 48 teams from the next edition, the nine group winners from the qualifiers will directly qualify for the global showpiece, while the four best runners-up will enter a playoff round to compete for a chance to qualify for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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Ivory Coast Squad

Goalkeepers

Yahia Fofana, Kone Mohamed, Sangare Badra Ali

Defenders

Agbadou Emmanuel, Doue Guela, Willy Boly, Ousmanne Diomande, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Christopher Operi, Wilfried Singo

Midfielders

Lazare Amani, Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, Mohamed Diomande, Jean Michael Seri

Forwards

Simon Adingra, Mohammed Bamba, Jeremie Boga, Oumar Diakite, Evann Guessand, Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Pepe, Emmanuel Lath