Ivory Coast Squad for 2025 AFCON Revealed

Ivory Coast Squad for 2025 Revealed: Wilfred Zaha Returns, But Nicolas Pepe Misses Out Again

Aishik Das

Published - Dec 13, 2025, 01:05 AM

3 min

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Ivory Coast Squad for 2025 Revealed: Wilfred Zaha Returns, But Nicolas Pepe Misses Out Again

Summary

Ivory Coast revealed their 26-man squad ahead of AFCON 2025.
Nicolas Pepe misses out due to off-field tensions, while Wilfried Zaha has been included for the all-important tournament.

The Ivory Coast national football team have revealed their official 26-man squad for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The manager of the Ivory Coast Squad, Emerse Fae, has chosen the 26 players, along with two reserves, who deserve to be in the tournament that is scheduled to be held in Morocco later this year.

The last time the Ivory Coast national football team won the AFCON was in 2023. The Les Elephants will look to put in a better performance this time out to bring home the title once again. Let's take a look at the Ivory Coast Squad for the AFCON 2025.

Wilfred Zaha Returns to Ivory Coast Squad; Nicolas Pepe Misses Out

The Ivory Coast AFCON squad consists of a bunch of senior players, along with young, talented players who have shown their worth on the domestic level. However, players like Simon Adingra from Sunderland and Villarreal forward Nicolas Pepe have not been included in the Ivory Coast AFCON 2025 squad. Fae has given his fair share of reasons as to why these two players are missing out on the final 26-man squad.

For Adingra, Fae said that the Ivorian is not getting to play regularly for his club Brighton and Hove Albion, which was a key factor in not choosing him. Speaking for Pepe, Emerse Fae revealed that the Ivorian has been involved with a lot of controversy off the field, which might have had a direct impact on the team. The manager chose not to include Nicolas Pepe, considering all the on-field and off-field factors for the greater good of the team.

If we were to consider only the sporting aspect, he would obviously be with us. To make a list, you have to take into account many factors, both on and off the field. All these factors have led to Nico not being on the list.

Nicolas Pepe came under heavy scrutiny after his recent comments on the Morocco national football team, where he said that the Atlas Lions haven't won the AFCON in a long time and do not boast of many big stars in their team. The Ivorian international was subject to a lot of racial abuse on social media, which might have influenced the coach's decision not to include him in the Ivory Coast Squad.

On the other hand, winger Wilfried Zaha returns to the team after a gap of two years. The former Crystal Palace winger, who's now on loan for MLS side Charlotte FC from Galatasaray, has convinced the Ivory Coast national football team management that he still remains an important asset for the country due to his recent performances. Fae said that players with the experience of Zaha are needed in such tournaments.

"We saw that we need experienced players. In Zaha's case, his ability to beat defenders and his current form worked in his favour.