Côte d’Ivoire will be without some of their key players as they face the Black Stars in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Head coach Hervé Renard announced his 24-man squad as the international break begins on September 21, 2026, with the team set to begin preparations for the qualifiers.

The squad surprised some football fans with the omission of some top footballers who are known to make a difference for the team when it matters most.

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The big name missing from the squad is Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo, who plays a pivotal role in the team and has been crucial to their success.

He scored match-winning goals for the Elephants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and his absence could affect the team’s performance.

Other players missing include Galatasaray defender Wilfried Singo and Ajax Amsterdam attacker Simon Adingra, who are key members of the squad.

Some of the players are reportedly injured, while poor performances and a lack of playing time contributed to the decision to exclude others from the squad.

Regardless of the absentees, head coach Renard will look to make use of their replacements and get the best out of them as they prepare for their first game against the Black Stars in what promises to be an intriguing clash.

Meanwhile, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz is yet to announce his squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers, with the announcement expected soon.

SB/JKB

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