The Ivory Coast national team has announced its 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, and while four current Premier League stars have made the cut, one familiar face is notably absent: former Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha.
The 33-year-old winger, who has earned 36 caps for his country, was part of the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this season but has been left out of this summer's tournament. Zaha, currently on loan at Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer from Galatasaray, will watch from home as his teammates take on the world's best.
In his place, four Premier League players have earned their spots. Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou, Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare, and forwards Amad Diallo (Manchester United) and Evann Guessand (Aston Villa) will all be traveling to the tournament. They're joined by several players with English top-flight experience, including Seko Fofana, Jean Michael Seri, Simon Adingra, and Nicolas Pepe—the latter making a return after being left out of the AFCON squad earlier this year.
Head coach Emerse Fae has also turned to some exciting young talent. RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, a player heavily linked with a Premier League move this summer, is among the forwards selected. Also included is the uncapped Ange-Yoan Bonny of Inter Milan, who only completed a nationality transfer from France Under-21s last week. Bonny follows a similar path to new teammate Elye Wahi, who earned his first cap in March.
Notably absent alongside Zaha are Nottingham Forest veteran defender Willy Boly and former West Ham striker Sebastien Haller, who scored the winning goal in the 2024 AFCON final. The squad will be looking to build on their AFCON quarter-final exit as they prepare for their fourth World Cup appearance.
Ivory Coast have been drawn in Group E and will kick off their campaign on June 14 against Ecuador. They'll then face Germany and tournament debutants Curacao in what promises to be a challenging group stage. The World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, runs from June 11 to July 19.
Ivory Coast World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana (Rizespor), Mohamed Kone (Charleroi), Alban Lafont (Panathinaikos)
Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou (Wolves), and others to be confirmed.