Lions rivals, Cote d’Ivoire, name squad for October friendly.

The squad will also take part in the opening matches of the 2027 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers against Ghana and Somalia this month. 

Renard is set to begin his competitive campaign with the Elephants against the Black Stars, with several high-profile players from Europe's top leagues included in the squad.

Among the notable selections are Real Madrid youngster, Yan Diomandé; Manchester United defender, Leny Yoro; Atalanta midfielder, Franck Kessié; Brighton midfielder, Malick Yalcouyé; and Newcastle United forward, Bazoumana Touré.

Côte d’Ivoire will begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Ghana on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The Group C encounter will be played at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00pm.

The Elephants will then travel into their second qualifying fixture against Somalia on September 29, 2026. With Renard taking charge of his first competitive matches, Côte d’Ivoire will be looking to make a strong start to their qualification campaign.

After their opening two games, Cote d’Ivoire will face Cameroon in an international friendly on October 3 in Abidjan.

On Monday, September 7, the head coach of the Indomitable Lions, David Pagou, announced a 26-man squad for this month’s AFCON qualifiers and friendly.

The Indomitable Lions are drawn in Group G of the group stage qualifiers. The five-time African champions begin their campaign with a home fixture against Comoros on Thursday September 24 at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua, North Region.

Coach Pagou and his boys face border neighbors Congo five days later in Brazzaville. Namibia completes the group. After the AFCON qualifying match, Cameroon will face Cote d’Ivoire in a friendly. 

The last time Cameroon faced Cote d’Ivoire was at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. The Indomitable Lions came from behind to draw 1-1 with their West African rivals and edged closer to a place in the last 16.

Manchester United striker, Amad Diallo, thought he had scored a second half winner for the holders, six minutes after the restart but another England-based player, defender Junior Tchamadeu of Championship side, Stoke City, levelled scores only five minutes later to secure a vital draw.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3912 of Thursday September 17, 2026