ABIDJAN, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Cote d'Ivoire national football team head coach Emerse Fae on Friday in Abidjan announced a 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The squad, which contains few surprises, consists of three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and nine forwards, including almost all of the team's key players as well as several young talents called up in recent months.
Returning to the competition after a 12-year absence, Cote d'Ivoire has been drawn in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curacao.
The Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire will begin its campaign against Ecuador on June 15 before facing Germany on June 20 and Curacao on June 25.
In its three previous appearances at the World Cup (2006, 2010 and 2014), the Ivorian side never advanced beyond the group stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition featuring 48 teams, including a record 10 African representatives.
The full Cote d'Ivoire squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers:
Yaya Fofana
Mohamed Kone
Alban Lafont
Defenders:
Emmanuel Agbadou
Clement Akpa
Ousmane Diomande
Guela Doue
Ghislain Konan
Odilon Kossounou
Evan Ndicka
Wilfried Singo
Midfielders:
Seko Fofana
Parfait Guiagon
Christ Inao Oulai
Franck Kessie
Ibrahim Sangare
Jean Michael Seri
Forwards:
Simon Adingra
Ange-Yoan Bonny
Amad Diallo
Oumar Diakite
Yan Diomande
Evann Guessand
Nicolas Pepe
Bazoumana Toure
Elye Wahi
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