FIFA confirms Côte d’Ivoire as youngest squad at 2026 World Cup

FIFA has officially confirmed that Côte d’Ivoire has the youngest squad at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The world football governing body made the announcement on Sunday via its official World Cup X handle.

“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” FIFA wrote. It added that the team has an average age of 25.8 years.

The Elephants are preparing to face Ecuador in their opening match of the tournament.

Head coach Emerse Faé has assembled a youthful and dynamic squad filled with players active in top European leagues. The rebuild follows the departure of veterans from the country’s golden generation, including Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré.

Faé also left out several experienced players, among them 33-year-old forward Wilfried Zaha, who is currently on loan at Charlotte FC from Galatasaray.