Cote d’Ivoire name 43-player shortlist for 2026 U17 World Cup

Cote d’Ivoire have begun preparations for the 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar after coach Bassiriki Diabate announced a provisional squad of 43 players.

The list will be reduced to 21 before the tournament begins, setting up a competitive selection process for the Elephanteaux as they prepare for their sixth appearance at a U17 World Cup.

The provisional group includes five goalkeepers, 14 defenders, 12 midfielders and 12 forwards. Most of the players are based in domestic leagues, while eight are playing abroad.

The breadth of the squad gives the coaching staff several options as they assess the generation that will represent Cote d’Ivoire on the world stage. Former footballer Kader Keita, an ex-Ivorian international and former Olympique Lyonnais player, has examined the group and the task facing the selectors.

Seven friendlies to shape final squad

The players will have opportunities to make their case during a training camp in Dubai and a schedule of seven friendly matches.

Cote d’Ivoire are due to face Al Ain, Tajikistan, Panama, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mexico. Those fixtures will provide the main competitive setting in which the technical staff can assess the candidates before naming the final 21-man squad.

The final selection follows the Elephanteaux’s route to qualification through the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Cote d’Ivoire finished top of their group with seven points and reached the quarter-finals.

Their campaign ended with a 4-1 defeat by Egypt, but their progress to the last eight secured their place at the World Cup.

That continental experience gives the team a foundation for the next stage of its development, although the tournament in Qatar will present a broader challenge. Cote d’Ivoire must now turn a large preliminary group into a balanced and competitive squad capable of meeting the demands of the global competition.

The immediate focus is therefore on the battle for the 21 available places. With 43 players initially included, every position remains open as the Dubai camp and seven warm-up matches approach.

Cote d’Ivoire will enter the tournament seeking to build on their qualification from the U17 Africa Cup of Nations and make a strong impression in their sixth appearance at a U17 World Cup.