Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Côte d’Ivoire have released their final 26-man squad for the 2025 AFCON, with Head Coach Emerse Faé recalling experienced winger Wilfried Zaha — while leaving out 2023 breakout star Simon Adingra.
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Zaha, 33, returns to the Elephants’ squad for the first time in nearly two years after an impressive season with MLS side Charlotte FC, where he is on loan from Galatasaray.
Four Premier League players made the list: Nottingham Forest duo Ibrahim Sangaré and Willy Boly, Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou, and Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.
Brighton winger Adingra, a key figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s triumphant AFCON 2023 campaign, was surprisingly omitted.
Aston Villa’s Evann Guessand has been placed on standby should there be any late withdrawals.
Côte d’Ivoire have been drawn in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique as they begin their title defence in Morocco.
The tournament kicks off on 21 December, although FIFA has confirmed that clubs are not mandated to release players until 15 December.
Full Côte d’Ivoire Squad
Goalkeepers:
Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders:
Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ousmane Diomandé (Sporting CP), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Christopher Operi (Istanbul Basaksehir), Armel Zohouri (Iberia 1999)
Midfielders:
Seko Fofana (Rennes), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (Metz), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli), Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest), Jean-Michaël Seri (Maribor)
Forwards:
Vakoun Bayo (Udinese), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Sébastien Haller (Utrecht), Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC), Bazoumana Touré (Hoffenheim), Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC)
Reserves:
Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi)
