FIFA names Côte d’Ivoire 2026 World Cup youngest squad

FIFA has officially named Côte d’Ivoire as the youngest squad in the ongoing 2026 World Cup.

FIFA spotlighted the squad on its official World Cup X handle on Sunday.

“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026” with “Average age: 25.8,” it wrote.

The announcement came as the Elephants prepared for their first match in the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

They face Ecuador on Monday.

After the golden era led by legends such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, coach Emerse Faé has built a dynamic, emerging side packed with talent from Europe’s top leagues.

He placed his faith in youth, while leaving out a couple of 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 Touré (TSG Hoffenheim), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Oumar Diakité (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.

Other nations with the most young players include 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) and South Africa (26 years, 295 days).