Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has named his 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with former Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha returning for the first time in nearly two years.
The 33-year-old Zaha has impressed in Major League Soccer with Charlotte FC, while on loan from Galatasaray, earning a recall to the national team ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on 21 December 2025.
Key Absences and Premier League Representation
Notably, Sunderland winger Simon Adingra, who was instrumental in Ivory Coast’s 2023 AFCON triumph, has been left out. Aston Villa forward Evann Guessand has been named as a reserve in case of pre-tournament withdrawals.
Four Premier League players make the squad:
- Ibrahim Sangare – Nottingham Forest
- Willy Boly – Nottingham Forest
- Emmanuel Agbadou – Wolves
- Amad Diallo – Manchester United
These selections highlight the team’s balance between European experience and domestic talent.
Group Stage Draw
Ivory Coast have been drawn into Group F alongside:
- Cameroon – five-time AFCON winners
- Gabon
- Mozambique
The tournament hosts, Morocco, will play Comoros in the opening game. Clubs are not required to release players until 15 December, seven days later than usual, giving national teams limited time to assemble their squads.
Ivory Coast 2025 AFCON Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor)
- Mohamed Kone (Charleroi)
- Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders:
- Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves)
- Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest)
- Ousmane Diomande (Sporting)
- Guela Doue (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 Kessie (Al-Ahli)
- Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest)
- Jean-Michael Seri (Maribor)
Forwards:
- Vakoun Bayo (Udinese)
- Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge)
- Amad Diallo (Manchester United)
- Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig)
- Sebastien Haller (Utrecht)
- Jean-Philippe Krasso (Paris FC)
- Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim)
- Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC)
Reserves:
- Evann Guessand (Aston Villa)
- Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi)
Zaha’s Impact and AFCON Prospects
Wilfried Zaha’s return adds experience and attacking quality to the squad, offering Ivory Coast a proven winger capable of creating chances and scoring crucial goals. His presence may be pivotal against strong opponents like Cameroon, who have historically been a major force in the tournament.
With emerging talents like Amad Diallo and seasoned campaigners like Sebastien Haller, Ivory Coast will look to defend their 2023 AFCON title and navigate the challenging group stage successfully.
Key Takeaways
- Wilfried Zaha recalled to Ivory Coast squad for 2025 AFCON.
- Simon Adingra, 2023 title-winning winger, left out.
- Four Premier League players included: Sangare, Boly, Agbadou, Diallo.
- Ivory Coast in Group F with Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.
- Tournament begins 21 December 2025, with clubs releasing players on 15 December.
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