Côte d'Ivoire's AFCON 2027 Qualifiers Squad: Renard Begins a Rebuild With Eight Newcomers
Photo: CAF
Hervé Renard has named eight newcomers in his first Côte d'Ivoire squad since returning as head coach, as the Elephants begin AFCON 2027 qualifying against Ghana and Somalia.
Eleven years after leading Côte d'Ivoire to the 2015 title, Hervé Renard is back — and his first squad selection since returning makes clear this is a genuine rebuild, not a continuation. Eight newcomers feature in a 25-man squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Ghana and Somalia, plus a friendly against Cameroon.
The Elephants open at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké against Ghana on 24 September, host Somalia in Abidjan five days later, then face Cameroon at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpé on 3 October. Renard succeeds Emerse Faé.
A midfield rebuilt from scratch
The retirements of Seko Fofana and Jean Michaël Seri — both starters in the 2023 home triumph — have left a genuine gap, and Renard's newcomer list reflects it directly. Paris FC teenager Patrick Zabi (19), Estrela Amadora's Eddy Doué (20, cousin of Guéla Doué and France international Désiré Doué), and Amadou Koné (21) are all new midfield faces, alongside the returning Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouyé, who impressed enough in England to earn a second look after previously not making his debut.
Toulouse's Christ Tapé (20) and Kassoum Ouattara (21) add depth in defence, while Coventry City's Yann Gboho and Le Havre loanee Rayan Fofana — a five-goal Ligue 1 scorer for Lens last season, formerly a France youth international — bring fresh options in attack.
Experience still anchors the squad
Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré remain the midfield's senior figures, while Evan Ndicka, Ousmane Diomandé, Odilon Kossounou and Emmanuel Agbadou hold down the back line. Nicolas Pépé's inclusion ends speculation over his international future — he stays part of Renard's plans, joined in attack by Elye Wahi, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré and Yan Diomandé.
Renard will be without Amad Diallo and Wilfried Singo through injury, and Martial Godo is also unavailable. Sébastien Haller, Simon Adingra, Evann Guessand, Oumar Diakité, Christopher Operi and Parfait Guiagon have all missed out on selection entirely.
Full Côte d'Ivoire squad
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont, Mohamed Koné
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Guéla Doué, Kassoum Ouattara, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomandé, Christ Tapé
Midfielders: Amadou Koné, Eddy Doué, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Christ Inao Oulaï, Malick Yalcouyé, Patrick Zabi
Forwards: Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pépé, Rayan Fofana, Yan Diomandé, Yann Gboho
Bouaké to Abidjan and beyond
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Squad information sourced from CAF's official announcement, 16 September 2026.
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