AFCON 2025: Ivory Coast Coach Emerse Faé Names 26-Man Squad as Wilfried Zaha Earns Recall

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé has officially released his 26-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with star winger Wilfried Zaha making a notable return as the Elephants prepare to defend their continental crown in Morocco.

The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon, confirming the group of players tasked with helping the reigning champions chase back-to-back AFCON titles.

One of the biggest surprises from the squad list is the absence of Simon Adingra. The Sunderland forward, widely praised for his rapid development in European football, has been left out, leaving fans stunned.

He is joined on the sidelines by Nicolas Pépé, another high-profile name missing from Faé’s final selection. Despite his experience and pedigree, the Villarreal winger did not make the final cut.

Ivory Coast 2025 AFCON 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, 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, USA)

Standby: Guessand Evann (Aston Villa, England), Guiagon Parfait (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)