Ivory Coast, the reigning champions of African football, have unveiled their official 26-man squad for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Morocco. The announcement, made by head coach Emerse Faé on Tuesday, features headline decisions including the surprising recall of Wilfried Zaha and the omission of Simon Adingra.
Zaha’s Sensational Comeback
Wilfried Zaha, now 33, returns to the national team for the first time in nearly two years, following an impressive season with Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, where he netted 10 goals and provided six assists. Coach Faé revealed that discussions with Zaha had been ongoing for months, and the forward’s recent club form and experience were decisive factors in his selection. Zaha’s inclusion is seen as a move to balance the squad’s experience with its emerging talent, as Côte d’Ivoire aims to defend the AFCON crown they claimed on home soil in 2024.
Key Absentees: Adingra and Pépé
One of the most notable omissions is Brighton winger Simon Adingra, who was a breakout star at the 2023 AFCON. However, Adingra’s lack of playing time at Sunderland this season, just nine appearances, led Faé to prioritize players with greater club continuity. Nicolas Pépé, despite regular outings for Villarreal, is also left out, continuing a trend from previous international selections. Jérémie Boga, Clément Akpa, and injured Torino defender Wilfried Singo are among other notable absentees.
Simon Adingra missing in the Squad
Squad Refresh with Youth and Experience
Alongside experienced campaigners, Faé has retained several young talents, such as Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo, and Bazoumana Touré, underscoring his commitment to rejuvenating the team while maintaining a competitive edge. Jean-Michaël Seri also makes his return after recovering from a long-term injury.
The final squad will be supported by two reserves, Parfait Guiagon and Evann Guessand, who stand ready to step in if needed before the tournament begins.
Tough Group for Defending Champions
Ivory Coast faces a challenging Group F at the tournament, alongside Cameroon, Gabon, and Mozambique. After their dramatic title win last year, Faé is counting on the blend of youth and experienced players to mount another strong challenge for continental supremacy.
Nicholas Pepe missing in the squad to Morocco
Full 26-Man Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Yahia Fofana (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey)
- Mohamed Koné (Charleroi SC, Belgium)
- Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos, Greece)
Defenders:
- Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)
- Boly Willy (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-Michael Seri (NK Maribor FC, Slovenia)
Forwards:
- Vakoun Bayo (Udinese Calcio, 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 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany)
- Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC, United States)
Standby:
- Guessand Evann (Aston Villa, England)
- Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
With a blend of fresh faces and seasoned veterans, Côte d’Ivoire will look to defend their AFCON title and write another chapter in their storied football history.
