Ivory Coast's hopes of defending their Africa Cup of Nations crown have been dealt a severe blow with the news that talismanic striker Sébastien Haller will miss the upcoming tournament in Morocco.
A Crucial Blow for the Champions
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed the devastating update via social media on Friday 19 December 2025. The 31-year-old forward, whose heroic goals secured the trophy for the host nation in 2023, has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Haller sustained the problem while playing for his Dutch club, FC Utrecht, against NAC Breda on 14 December.
His absence creates a significant void in the Elephants' attack. Aston Villa's Evann Guessand has been called up to replace Haller in the squad. The defending champions are scheduled to begin their campaign against Mozambique on Wednesday 24 December.
From Cancer Survivor to National Icon
Haller's journey to becoming an Ivorian legend is a story of remarkable resilience. Premier League fans will remember his stint at West Ham United, who signed him for a then club-record £45 million in 2019. After a challenging period in London, he rediscovered his form spectacularly at Ajax, netting 47 goals in 66 appearances.
His move to Borussia Dortmund in 2022 was tragically interrupted. During pre-season in July 2022, Haller fell ill and received a diagnosis of testicular cancer. After undergoing successful treatment, he made an emotional return to training by the end of that year and was back playing competitively by January 2023.
The Legacy of a Afcon Hero
His triumphant return culminated in an unforgettable Africa Cup of Nations performance just one year later. Despite missing the start of the 2023 tournament with an ankle injury, Haller returned to score the decisive goals in both the semi-final against Congo and the final against Nigeria. He propelled the host nation to an against-the-odds victory, cementing his status as a national hero.
Now, Ivory Coast must navigate their title defence in Morocco without their inspirational figure. The team's ability to adapt and find goals from other sources will be critically tested as they aim to repeat their historic success without the man who was central to their last triumph.
