WCQ: Ivory Coast name strong squad to face Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars opponents in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers Ivory Coast have named the squad for the upcoming games.

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions will first face Gabon on June 7, before a game against Kenya on June 11.

The core of the team that won the AFCON trophy on home soil has been retained by head coach Emerse Fae. Fae, who started the continental tournament as an assistant coach before his elevation and proved successful later on, has, however, omitted Amad Diallo.

Diallo showed glittering instances with Manchester United towards the end of the just-concluded Premier League season, and his omission is glaring.

Willy Boly, Franck Kessie, Jean Michael Seri, and Nicolas Pepe are among the most experienced players in the squad.

Ivory Coast are set to give Harambee Stars a tough outing given that they are a high-ranking nation in Africa and also considering their recent outings in the qualifiers.

Confident Firat

Despite the daunting task ahead, Kenya’s head coach, Engin Firat, is confident in his charges’ ability to deliver.

“We played against strong teams that Kenya is not used to. We beat Asian champion Qatar away and drew away with Russia. Things are going positive for us on the national team.

“We broke many records in this process and won five away matches in the last year. No one has achieved this in Kenyan history. There is even a coach who has been on duty for 10 years, but he has not seen five away wins.

“We experienced this in one year. We won a cup in a special tournament in March. One of our biggest goals is the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations, which will be held in our country in 2027,” Firat said in a recent interview.

Ivory Coast squad

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Kone Mohamed, Sangare Badra Ali

Defenders: Agbadou Emmanuel, Doue Guela, Willy Boly, Ousmanne Diomande, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Evan Ndicka, Christopher Operi, Wilfried Singo

Midfielders: Lazare Amani, Seko Fofana, Franck Kessie, Mohamed Diomande, Jean Michael Seri

Strikers: Simon Adingra, Mohamed Bamba, Jeremie Boga, Oumar Diakite, Evann Guessand, Sebastien Haller, Nicolas Pepe, Emmanuel Lath

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