Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae has included uncapped striker Ange-Yoan Bonny in his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the forward’s recent nationality switch.
Bonny, who completed his switch of allegiance only last week, earned his first call-up alongside Elye Wahi, who also changed international allegiance from France earlier this year.
The 22-year-old Inter Milan striker and Wahi, 23, previously represented France at under-21 level before committing their futures to the Ivorians.
Wahi already made his senior debut for Ivory Coast during their 1-0 victory over Scotland in Liverpool in March.
Fae also recalled former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe, who missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco earlier this year where Ivory Coast failed to defend their title after exiting at the quarter-final stage.
Pepe had earlier sparked controversy following comments in a YouTube interview about Morocco’s historical record at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 30-year-old later apologised and claimed he was subjected to racial abuse online afterwards while accusing the Ivorian federation of failing to support him.
Despite the attacking reinforcements, there was no place in the squad for Sebastien Haller, who scored the winning goal when Ivory Coast won the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.
Former England international Wilfried Zaha was also omitted from the final squad.
Ivory Coast have been drawn in Group E of the World Cup where they will face Ecuador, Germany and Curacao in the opening phase of the tournament.
Bonny could make his debut for the Elephants when they face France in a pre-World Cup friendly in Lens on June 4.
Ivory Coast’s World Cup squad
Goalkeepers:
Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders:
Emmanuel Agbadou (Besiktas), Clement Akpa (Auxerre), Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Ghislain Konan (Gil Vicente), Odilon Kossounou (Atalanta), Evan Ndicka (Roma), Wilfried Singo (Galatasaray)
Midfielders:
Seko Fofana (Stade Rennais), Parfait Guiagon (Charleroi), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Franck Kessie (Al Ahli), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Jean Seri (NK Maribor)
Forwards:
Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Yan Diomande (RB Leipzig), Evann Guessand (Aston Villa), Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal), Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Elye Wahi (Nice)
