The waiting is over and the decisions have been made. Cote d’Ivoire head coach Emerse Fae has officially submitted the final, locked-in 26-man roster to FIFA ahead of the tournament opener. Competing out of Group E, this collection of players carries the hopes of the nation onto the world stage.
With the squad finalized and training camp underway, we have broken down the official roster, analyzed how the positional depth charts shake out, and mapped out the predicted opening-match starting lineup based on the manager’s tactical preferences.
2026 Cote d’Ivoire World Cup Roster
The 2026 Cote d’Ivoire World Cup Roster was confirmed on May 15, 2026, when Emerse Fae named his final 26. You can review the full squad list on the official FIFA squad announcements hub. Always check the latest injury news before playing fantasy or other related games for the World Cup.
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| Position | Player Name | Active Club Team | Official Roster Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Yahia Fofana | Rizespor | Projected Starter (#1) |
| GK | Alban Lafont | Panathinaikos | Primary Backup |
| GK | Mohamed Kone | Royal Charleroi | Tournament Depth / Third Keeper |
| DEF | Ghislain Konan | Gil Vicente | Projected Starter |
| DEF | Odilon Kossounou | Atalanta | Projected Starter |
| DEF | Wilfried Singo | Galatasaray | Projected Starter |
| DEF | Evan Ndicka | AS Roma | Projected Starter |
| DEF | Emmanuel Agbadou | Besiktas | Confirmed Selection / Defensive Depth |
| DEF | Guela Doue | Strasbourg | Confirmed Selection / Defensive Depth |
| DEF | Ousmane Diomande | Sporting CP | Confirmed Selection / Defensive Depth |
| DEF | Clement Akpa | Auxerre | Confirmed Selection / Defensive Depth |
| MID | Franck Kessie | Al-Ahli | Projected Starter |
| MID | Jean-Michael Seri | Maribor | Projected Starter |
| MID | Ibrahim Sangare | Nottingham Forest | Projected Starter |
| MID | Seko Fofana | FC Porto | Confirmed Selection / Midfield Depth |
| MID | Christ Inao Oulai | Trabzonspor | Confirmed Selection / Midfield Depth |
| MID | Parfait Guiagon | Royal Charleroi | Confirmed Selection / Midfield Depth |
| FWD | Nicolas Pepe | Villarreal | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
| FWD | Oumar Diakite | Cercle Brugge | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
| FWD | Simon Adingra | AS Monaco | Projected Starter |
| FWD | Evann Guessand | Crystal Palace | Projected Starter |
| FWD | Amad Diallo | Manchester United | Projected Starter |
| FWD | Yan Diomande | RB Leipzig | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
| FWD | Bazoumana Toure | Hoffenheim | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
| FWD | Elye Wahi | OGC Nice | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
| FWD | Ange-Yoan Bonny | Inter Milan | Confirmed Selection / Attacking Depth |
Cote d’Ivoire Roster Position Breakdown & Tactical Roles
Goalkeepers
- The Established #1: Yahia Fofana occupies the starting role and will lead the defense from the back line throughout the group stage.
- The Bench Depth: Alban Lafont acts as the immediate primary backup option, while Mohamed Kone provides cover as the third keeper.
Defenders
- The Defensive Foundation: The back line is anchored by Ghislain Konan, Evan Ndicka, Odilon Kossounou, and Wilfried Singo, who are expected to command the heavy minutes.
- Tactical Cover: Emmanuel Agbadou, Guela Doue, Ousmane Diomande, and Clement Akpa secured their places in the final 26 to provide structural depth across the flanks and central defense.
Midfielders
- The Engine Room: Control of the pitch belongs to Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, and Jean-Michael Seri, who will shape the possession and set the tempo.
- Sub Impact: Seko Fofana, Christ Inao Oulai, and Parfait Guiagon provide tactical options off the bench to alter shapes or protect late-game results.
Forwards / Attackers
- The Focal Point: The attack is led by Simon Adingra, Evann Guessand, and Amad Diallo.
- The Attacking Variants: Nicolas Pepe, Oumar Diakite, Yan Diomande, Bazoumana Toure, Elye Wahi, and Ange-Yoan Bonny offer high-impact options with distinct aerial and pace-based switches.
Predicted Cote d’Ivoire Starting XI: Group Stage Opener
With the 26-man roster finalized, tactical patterns indicate that Cote d’Ivoire will lean on a primary 4-3-3 setup to attack their initial group stage matches. The lineup below is our projection based on current form and Emerse Fae’s selections; it is a prediction, not an official team sheet.
Predicted Lineup Layout
- Goalkeeper: Yahia Fofana
- Defenders (Left to Right): Ghislain Konan, Evan Ndicka, Odilon Kossounou, Wilfried Singo
- Midfielders: Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare, Jean-Michael Seri
- Forwards / Wingers: Simon Adingra, Evann Guessand, Amad Diallo
Note: Emerse Fae has options at centre-forward, with Evann Guessand, Elye Wahi, and Ange-Yoan Bonny in the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Cote d’Ivoire World Cup Roster
Is this the final Cote d’Ivoire World Cup roster?
Yes. This is the official, finalized 26-man squad as submitted to and approved by FIFA for the tournament, announced by Emerse Fae on May 15, 2026.
Where can I track the full tournament brackets?
To see how Cote d’Ivoire matches up against the rest of the field, check out our master, printable 2026 World Cup Bracket with Groups Filled In page, which includes all 12 group configurations.
Who does Cote d’Ivoire play in the group stage?
Cote d’Ivoire will play in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador, and Curacao. You can view the full Cote d’Ivoire match schedule, with dates, venues, and kickoff times, on our 2026 Cote d’Ivoire World Cup schedule page.
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