Ivory Coast national team manager Émerse Faé has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, including Villarreal forward Nicolas Pépé. The announcement was made on Friday during a broadcast on RTI, the Ivorian national television channel.
Pépé’s inclusion marks a return to the national team after he was previously left out of the Africa Cup of Nations squad earlier this year due to off-field issues. The 28-year-old has been a regular in La Liga with Villarreal, contributing sporadically to their attack. He joined the Yellow Submarines in 2022 after a spell with Arsenal.
Alongside Pépé, Nice striker Elye Wahi has also been recalled to the squad, having previously received a call-up in March. Inter Milan forward Ange-Yoan Bonny will earn his first senior international cap, having missed the last international break. Bonny has impressed for Inter’s youth setup, earning a place in the senior squad.
Sébastien Haller, a key figure in Ivory Coast’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, is among the five reserve players named by Faé. However, Haller has struggled for form with Utrecht, scoring only one goal in 30 appearances across all competitions this season. Strasbourg’s Martial Godo also features on the reserve list, while Ismael Doukouré, now eligible to represent the Ivory Coast, was not included in either the main squad or the reserve list.
Ivory Coast will face France in a friendly on June 4th in Nantes before beginning their World Cup campaign against Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao in Group E. The inclusion of Pépé provides Faé with another attacking option as they prepare for the tournament, and offers the player a chance to regain favour with the national team after his recent exclusion.
