Côte d’Ivoire Unveils Youngest World Cup Squad for 2023

FIFA has announced Côte d’Ivoire's youngest World Cup squad as they prepare for their opening group stage match against Ecuador. This squad is part of the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The current coach has assembled a youth squad built from Europe’s top leagues, marking a transition from the golden generation that included veterans Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, who have been omitted from the squad. Notably, 17-year-old Yan Diomand, born in 2006, is the youngest player in the squad, alongside emerging stars from clubs like Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Sporting CP.

The tournament will also feature teams from Ecuador, Morocco, Spain, and South Africa. FIFA stated that the youth composition reflects a broader generational shift in global football, with emerging talents increasingly replacing established veterans, prioritizing speed and energy for long-term squad development.