Côte d’Ivoire have announced their official 26-man squad for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with head coach Emerse Faé opting for a mix of trusted veterans and rising talents as the reigning champions prepare to defend their continental crown. The most notable headline is the return of Wilfried Zaha, while star winger Simon Adingra is excluded.
Faé revealed the squad on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation around the role of experienced stars and the possible integration of new profiles. Côte d’Ivoire enter the tournament as defending champions and will compete in Group F alongside Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique.
Zaha recalled after strong MLS season
At 33, Zaha returns to the national team for the first time since 2023 after an excellent campaign with Charlotte FC, where he registered 10 goals and six assists. Faé explained that the technical staff had been in regular contact with the player and that his dynamism in the final third gave the Elephants an added dimension.
“We needed experience and personality in the squad,” Faé said. “Zaha brings both.”
Midfielder Jean-Michaël Seri also makes his comeback following a long recovery from injury, adding leadership and balance to the Ivorian midfield.
Adingra one of the big omissions
The most surprising absence is Simon Adingra, who played a starring role in the 2024 AFCON triumph. The Brighton winger, currently on loan at Sunderland, has struggled for minutes this season, appearing in only nine matches, a factor that weighed heavily in Faé’s final decision.
Other notable absentees include Nicolas Pépé and Jérémie Boga, while defender Wilfried Singo misses out due to injury.
Young talents continue to break through
The squad reflects Faé’s continued strategy of blending generations. Promising players such as Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo, and Bazoumana Touré retain their places following impressive club and international performances.
Faé emphasised the importance of “continuity and competitive hunger” as Côte d’Ivoire attempt to secure back-to-back AFCON titles for the first time in their history.
Two standby players named
The Elephants will travel to Morocco with two reserves on alert: Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand. Both will step in only in case of injuries before the tournament kicks off.
Full Côte d’Ivoire squad for AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
- Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey)
- Mohamed Koné (Charleroi SC, Belgium)
- Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos, Greece)
Defenders
- Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves, England)
- Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest, England)
- Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP, Portugal)
- Guela Doué (RC Strasbourg, France)
- Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente, Portugal)
- Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta BC, Italy)
- Evan Ndicka (AS Roma, Italy)
- Christopher Operi (Istanbul Başakşehir, Turkey)
- Armel Zohouri (FC Iberia 1999, Georgia)
Midfielders
- Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais, France)
- Jean-Philippe Gbamin (FC Metz, France)
- Christ Inao Oulaï (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
- Franck Kessié (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia)
- Ibrahim Sangaré (Nottingham Forest, England)
- Jean-Michaël Seri (NK Maribor, Slovenia)
Forwards
- Vakoun Bayo (Udinese, Italy)
- Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United, England)
- Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig, Germany)
- Sébastien Haller (FC Utrecht, Netherlands)
- Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC, France)
- Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany)
- Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC, USA)
Standby players
- Evann Guessand (Aston Villa, England)
- Parfait Guiagon (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
Related Squad Announcements
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South Africa confirm AFCON squad |
Benin name AFCON 2025 squad |
Gabon announce final squad |
Mozambique reveal AFCON squad |
Tanzania confirm AFCON 2025 list
