Yann Diomande withdraws from international duty, and Ivory Coast call up Nicolas Pepe as a replacement!

Yan Diomande has been forced to withdraw from the Ivory Coast squad ahead of the upcoming FIFA window, after sustaining a shoulder injury during a league match on 20 March.

The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the 19‑year‑old striker will miss the two scheduled international friendlies against South Korea and Scotland.

In response, head coach Emerse Fae moved quickly to fill the gap. Nicolas Pépé, who was left out of the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has been called up as a replacement. The Villarreal forward will rejoin the group for the two matches.