When the Ivory Coast hoisted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on home soil in 2024, it felt like the crowning achievement of a generation. However, less than two years later, Les Elephants arrive at the 2026 World Cup having completely torn up the script.
This is a team in the middle of a ruthless, unprecedented squad turnover. A side so entirely transformed that only 14 players from that historic 2024 triumph made it to the most recent AFCON tournament in late 2025.
What is left behind is arguably the most raw, exciting and terrifyingly talented young squad in African football. Packed with players still under 25, the Ivorian blueprint is built for sustained dominance. But as they arrive in North America, they do so as a beautifully chaotic wild card - a side just as capable of making a deep tournament run as crashing out early.
To map out what to expect from Africa's most unpredictable outfit, we sat down with African football expert Ali Howorth for the latest episode of the Make Football Great Again podcast. For Howorth, the Ivory Coast are a tactical roller-coaster - spoiled for choice in defence, electric on the wings and anchored by a young midfield prodigy destined for the Premier League.
Box Office Attack
While the Ivory Coast are generally a little raw under the hood, their frontline is pure, unadulterated box office. It is an attack that seamlessly blends the most sought-after teenager in European football with established Premier League quality and a point-to-prove redemption story.
The crown jewel of this attack is undoubtedly Yan Diomande. The 19-year-old RB Leipzig sensation has completely torn up the Bundesliga this past season with a breathtaking campaign that included a historic hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt. Valued at upwards of £80 million, the explosive winger is being intensely tracked by a host of Premier League heavyweights ahead of a massive summer transfer window.
Counterbalancing Diomande on the right flank is Manchester United's Amad Diallo. The tricky winger provides a highly dynamic, technical edge out wide, giving Les Elephants a dual-winger threat that can turn any full-back inside out.
"Up front is where they are genuinely dangerous," Howorth warns. "Amad is brilliant, but he isn't even their best attacker. That title goes to Yan Diomande on the left wing. He has just won Rookie of the Year in the Bundesliga, backed up by a brilliant AFCON campaign."
Diomande's direct style is custom-built to terrify traditional fullbacks. "He is just the most dynamic player you will see. An amazing, direct ball-carrier who unpicks defences by himself."
And if you thought the days of Nicolas Pepe making waves on the international stage were over, think again. The ex-Arsenal man, whose career has been a rollercoaster since his record-breaking move to North London, is still a vital part of this attacking jigsaw. Pepe proved he still possesses that clinical edge when it matters most, netting the decisive match-winning goal in the Ivory Coast's hard-fought 1-0 win over Scotland during the March internationals.
Big-Game Legend and 'Hidden Gem'
With the Ivory Coast boasting one of the youngest squads at the World Cup, veteran experience is at a premium. While there is immense internal pressure to pivot entirely to youth, 100+ cap legend Franck Kessie remains the emotional anchor of the team.
"Kessie has spent the last few years in Saudi Arabia and has struggled for form both there and for the national team," Howorth explains. "There is definitely pressure for him to not be picked in the starting eleven at this World Cup. But when push comes to shove, he is still the ultimate big-game player."
The former AC Milan and Barcelona midfielder's legendary status was cemented during their 2024 Afcon title run. "He's the one who came off the bench to completely change the game against Senegal, and he scored in the final. Even if he doesn't start every game this summer, Kessie is still firmly the talisman."
While Kessie provides the veteran presence, the keys to the Ivorian midfield have officially been handed to Trabzonspor's Christ Oulai. Having only just turned 20, the deep-lying playmaker is already being tipped as Africa's next multi-million-pound export.
"He is probably the best example of a hidden gem anywhere in Africa right now," Howorth says enthusiastically. "He made his senior international debut at 19 and was arguably the best midfielder at the entire tournament. Because he plays in Turkey, he flies completely under the radar from a British perspective, but he is their most important midfielder now, even beyond Kessie."
"He has a very small, low centre of gravity, but he is incredibly physical. He's terrific at picking up the ball from deep and playing precise passes right through the opposition lines. I would not be at all surprised to see him seal a move to the Premier League or another top-five European league immediately after this summer."
Defensive Depth - with a Chaotic Twist
On paper, the Ivorian defensive line reads like a scout's dream list, boasting a staggering array of elite European talent. However, as a unit, they remain a source of immense frustration.
"They have a whole host of really experienced, top-tier options," Howorth notes, pointing to a backline featuring Odilon Kossounou, Wilfried Singo, Evan Ndicka, Guela Doue (brother of PSG's Desire Doue), Emmanuel Agbadou, and Sporting CP starlet Ousmane Diomande. "They have an amazing team, but the problem is they are a bit chaotic. It's not a settled squad."
This tactical instability means the Ivorians are liable to beat themselves. "They will always give you a chance if you are playing against them. I was at their friendly match against Scotland in March; Cote d'Ivoire were fantastic and cut through Scotland with ease, but they consistently gave away cheap chances at the back."
Cruel Knockout Path
The Ivory Coast find themselves in a fascinating group alongside Germany, Ecuador and Curacao. While beating Curacao is non-negotiable, their progression will come down to a clash of footballing philosophies against the South Americans.
"Ecuador are the exact opposite of the Ivory Coast - they are the ultimate defensive machine compared to this chaotic, attacking team," Howorth analyses. "The expectation is that they will get out of the group, likely targeting that second-place spot behind Germany."
However, the expanded 48-team World Cup format has handed the Ivorians a potentially brutal bracket line if they finish as runners-up. "Because of the layout, some second-place teams get a lucky draw, but the Ivory Coast are looking at a potential nightmare. If they finish second, they are highly likely to instantly run into heavyweights like France, Norway, or a powerful Senegal side."
"They'd be underdogs against France or Senegal. This young squad is realistically targeting the next World Cup cycle as their peak, but because of their raw talent, absolutely no one will want to draw them in the knockouts this summer."
