As the 35th Africa Cup of Nations approaches in Morocco, Emerse Faé has made decisive choices and unveiled a compact, no-nonsense list of 26 Éléphants, supported by two reserves, Guiagon Parfait and Evan N’Guessan, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Abidjan. This is a tight, well-calibrated squad, designed for a single mission: to defend the throne won in Abidjan in 2024.

True to his measured yet assertive style, Faé emphasized continuity, cohesion, and competitiveness. It is a balanced squad, where every player knows they must fight to earn their place. Existing synergies are preserved, emerging talents are rewarded, and hierarchy is respected without being rigid.

In goal, the coach opted for stability with the trio of Yahya Fofana, Mohamed Koné, and Alban Lafont. At the back, the Ivorian defense looks like a fortress: solid, compact, and technical. Faé called up Emmanuel Agbadou, Willy Boly, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossonou, Evan Ndicka, Christophe Opéri, and Armel Zohouri.

In midfield, the coach fielded a dense, complementary unit capable of changing a game through impact and tactical intelligence. Seko Fofana, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Franck Kessié, Inao Christ Oulaï, Ibrahim Sangaré, and Jean Michaël Seri, who makes a significant return, will anchor the team.

Up front, the Éléphants move with a fiery, explosive, and experienced attack. Vakoun Bayo, Oumar Diakité, Amad Diallo, Yannick Diomandé, Sébastien Haller, Jean-Philippe Krasso, Bazoumana Touré, and Wilfried Zaha, absent from the last AFCON, make up an offensive line built to break defenses and strike decisively when it matters most.

Emerse Faé has left nothing to chance. This squad resembles a commando unit, ready to fight for every ball, every minute, every match. Côte d’Ivoire arrives in Morocco with a clear ambition: to defend their title and write a new chapter in their legendary history.