Ivory Coast matches
•June 15: Ecuador, 2am
•June 20: Germany, 11am
•June 25: Curacao, 11am
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The highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico in a week’s time.
Optimism is growing across Africa as the continent prepares to be represented by 10 nations in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The confirmation of all participating squads has provided an early glimpse into how teams are shaping up ahead of the global showpiece, with African nations standing out for their youthful profiles.
According to Opta, 2023 African champions Ivory Coast will head to the World Cup with the youngest squad among all 48 participating nations.
The Elephants have an average age of 25 years and 310 days on the opening day of the tournament.
Morocco sit third at 26 years and 144 days. Tunisia are fifth with an average age of 26 years and 235 days, while South Africa occupy eighth position at 26 years and 295 days.
Ivory Coast head coach Emerson Fae has placed his faith in youth, naming a squad packed with emerging talent while leaving out a couple od veterans including forward Wilfried Zaha, 33, who is currently on loan at Charlotte FC from Galatasaray.
RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, born on November 14, 2006, is the youngest player in the Ivorian squad.
He is part of an exciting generation that includes Bazoumana Toure (Hoffenheim), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Guela Doue (Strasbourg), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Mohammed Kone (Charleroi), Oumar Diakite (Cercle Brugge), Elye Wahi (Nice), Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan) and Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP), all of whom are yet to celebrate their 25th birthdays.
Among the standout youngsters is 19-year-old midfielder Christ Inao Oulai, a fearless and energetic talent who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with Trabzonspor in Turkey, helping the club win the Turkish Cup.
Having earned his first senior international cap in November, he quickly established himself as a regular starter during the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is another key figure in Fae’s youthful setup. The dynamic attacker is widely regarded for his creativity, relentless work rate and ability to unlock defences.
The Elephants have previously qualified for three FIFA World Cup tournaments, appearing in Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. However, they failed to progress beyond the group stage on each occasion.
Ivory Coast will be hoping their exciting new generation can finally deliver a breakthrough performance when they begin their campaign in Group E against Germany, Curacao and Ecuador.
Fact – On June 17 1998, Samuel Eto’o became the second youngest player ever to play at the World Cup when he represented Cameroon against Italy, then aged 17 years, 99 days old.
Youngest World Cup Squads (Average Age on Opening Day)
- Ivory Coast – 25 years, 310 days
- Ecuador – 26 years, 28 days
- Morocco – 26 years, 144 days
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – 26 years, 154 days
- Tunisia – 26 years, 235 days
- Spain – 26 years, 273 days
- Norway – 26 years, 293 days
- South Africa – 26 years, 295 days
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