Côte d’Ivoire Named Youngest Squad for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has officially recognized Côte d’Ivoire as having the youngest squad for the 2026 World Cup, with an average age of 25.8 years. The announcement highlights the team's preparation for their first match in the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 teams and be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The squad is seen as a new golden era for Ivorian football, led by legends Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, with current coach Jean-Louis Gasset building a dynamic team filled with talent from Europe's top leagues. Notable veterans include forward Wilfried Zaha, who is currently on loan at Charlotte FC, and the squad features young talents such as Yan Diomand, born on November 14, 2006, who is the youngest player in the Ivorian squad.

Other young players include Bazoumana Traoré, Christ Inao Oulai, and Amad Diallo, among others. Côte d’Ivoire's average age is younger than that of several other participating nations, including Ecuador and Morocco.