Hervé Renard has wasted little time stamping his mark on Cote d'Ivoire, naming eight uncapped players in a 25-man squad for the opening TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers — a clear signal that a new era has begun for the Elephants.

The squad will face Ghana at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on 24 September, then Somalia in Abidjan five days later, before a friendly against Cameroon at the Stade Alassane Ouattara in Ebimpé on 3 October.

A wave of young talent

Renard has leaned heavily on youth, with several of the newcomers aged 21 or younger. The departures of experienced midfielders Seko Fofana and Jean Michaël Seri through international retirement have opened the door for fresh faces in the engine room.

Paris FC teenager Patrick Zabi, 19, who featured in preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earns his first senior call-up as he continues to develop in Ligue 1. Alongside him, 21-year-old Amadou Koné — a former Cote d'Ivoire Under-23 international — steps up to the senior set-up.

Brighton midfielder Malick Yalcouyé, 20, returns after a previous call-up that did not lead to a debut, with an impressive start to the English season giving him a second chance to establish himself. Eddy Doué, 20, who plays for Estrela Amadora in Portugal and is the cousin of both defender Guéla Doué and France international Désiré Doué, has also been included.

Toulouse defender Christ Tapé, 20, brings youth international experience to the back line, while 21-year-old Kassoum Ouattara has also been handed his opportunity in the senior squad.

New options in attack

Coventry City forward Yann Gboho, 25, had long expressed his desire to play for Cote d'Ivoire but had never previously been selected for the senior team. Rayan Fofana, 20, arrives from Le Havre after impressing in Ligue 1 with Lens last season — scoring five goals — before moving to Le Havre on loan. Fofana previously represented France at youth level.

The two newcomers join an attack that already includes Nicolas Pépé, Elye Wahi, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré, and Yan Diomandé. Pépé's inclusion puts to rest any uncertainty about his international future, confirming he remains central to Renard's plans.

Experienced core retained

Renard has kept the squad's backbone intact. Franck Kessié and Ibrahim Sangaré anchor midfield, while Evan Ndicka, Ousmane Diomandé, Odilon Kossounou, and Emmanuel Agbadou provide defensive solidity. Goalkeepers Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont, and Mohamed Koné have all been retained.

Amad Diallo and Wilfried Singo miss out through injury, and Martial Godo is also unavailable. Sébastien Haller, Simon Adingra, Evann Guessand, Oumar Diakité, Christopher Operi, and Parfait Guiagon are among the notable absentees.

Renard, who guided Cote d'Ivoire to the Africa Cup of Nations title in 2015, returns for a second spell in charge at age 57, succeeding Emerse Faé. These opening qualifiers will offer his first real test as he shapes what promises to be a significantly refreshed Elephants side.

Cote d'Ivoire squad

Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Alban Lafont, Mohamed Koné.

Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Evan Ndicka, Ghislain Konan, Guéla Doué, Kassoum Ouattara, Odilon Kossounou, Ousmane Diomandé, Christ Tapé.

Midfielders: Amadou Koné, Eddy Doué, Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Christ Inao Oulaï, Malick Yalcouyé, Patrick Zabi.

Forwards: Ange-Yoan Bonny, Bazoumana Touré, Elye Wahi, Nicolas Pépé, Rayan Fofana, Yan Diomandé, Yann Gboho.