Friendlies: Ivory Coast squad list features returns and new faces

Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Faé unveiled this Friday the list of 23 players called up for the friendlies against New Zealand and Canada, scheduled for June 7 and 10 in Toronto as part of The Canadian Shield tournament.

On this occasion, the 41-year-old tactician has opted for a clever blend of established players, returning stars, and fresh faces. The goal: to broaden his options ahead of the upcoming qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and AFCON 2025.

Among the newcomers is Luck Zogbé, the 20-year-old right-back from Brest, who receives his first call-up, as well as Parfait Guiagon, a pacey winger from Charleroi.

This squad also marks the return of Jérémie Boga, Amad Diallo, Cédric Kipré, and Ghislain Konan.

Several key players missing

On the other hand, several regulars are absent, such as Evan Ndicka, Seko Fofana, Oumar Diakité, and Hamed Traoré. These absences are due to either tactical decisions or medical reasons.

Among the mainstays still present are Wilfried Singo, Franck Kessié, Simon Adingra, and Sébastien Haller, who provide balance to this experimental squad.

Below is the full list of players called up:

Amine Jomni |

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African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.