Côte d'Ivoire have named their 26-man World Cup 2026 squad — and one detail cuts through everything else. Guela Doué is in this squad for Ivory Coast. His younger brother Désiré Doué is in France's squad. The same family, the same tournament, different flags. It is the kind of storyline that World Cups produce and no other sporting event can match. Beyond the Doué brothers, this is a squad built to compete: Amad Diallo at Manchester United as the creative heart, Elye Wahi as the young striker in form, and a midfield anchored by Ibrahim Sangaré.
Ivory Coast's Squad — AFCON Champions, World Cup Contenders
Ivory Coast arrive at World Cup 2026 as the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, having won AFCON 2023 on home soil in one of the competition's most dramatic finals. That win transformed the team's belief — and it shows in this squad's confidence.
The CAF qualification campaign was one of the most dominant in recent memory: Ivory Coast won their group with an unbeaten record, conceding almost nothing and producing performances that suggested a team in real form. They are one of Africa's three or four most credible knockout-stage contenders.
Nicolas Pépé's inclusion is the squad's most veteran call. The Villarreal winger, once one of the world's most expensive players at Arsenal, has rebuilt his career in Spain and earns a place based on current form rather than past reputation. At 31, this is likely his last major tournament.
The Doué brothers storyline deserves its own chapter. Guela (26, Strasbourg) chose Ivory Coast over France. Désiré (20, PSG) is in France's squad. Their mother will be watching both. If France and Ivory Coast are drawn in adjacent groups and meet in the knockout stage, football will have its story of the tournament.
Key Players to Watch
Attack-First, Youth-Driven
Nine attackers in this squad reflects Ivory Coast's aggressive philosophy. Diallo and Wahi are the first-choice pairing, but Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa) and Simon Adingra (Monaco) all offer different profiles — pace, physicality, technical quality.
The midfield concern is cover. Sangaré and Seko Fofana (Porto) are both quality players, but Kessié's time at Al Ahli has reduced his sharpness and Seri at NK Maribor is past his peak. If Sangaré picks up an injury, the quality drops sharply.
Defensively, the Diomande–Ndicka partnership at centre-back is one of the tournament's better pairings. Ndicka at Roma has been consistent at the highest European level. Kossounou at Atalanta brings pace and aggression. Singo at Galatasaray covers the right side dynamically.
Group E — The Path Out
Ivory Coast are in Group E alongside Germany, Ecuador and Côte d'Ivoire... Actually — Ivory Coast are in Group E alongside Germany and Ecuador among others. It is a group where second place is genuinely achievable. Germany are clear favourites, but the other spots are open.
Ivory Coast's best-case scenario is finishing second and setting up a Round of 32 against a lower-ranked team. Their squad quality is sufficient to win any match on their day — the question is consistency across three group games.
World Cup History
One to Watch — Amad Diallo
Prediction
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