Côte d'Ivoire has the youngest squad at the 2026 World Cup

FIFA has named Côte d’Ivoire as the youngest team at the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA shared the news on its official World Cup X account on Sunday.

“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026” with “Average age: 25.8,” it said.

This announcement came as the Elephants got ready for their first match in the new 48-team tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

They will play against Ecuador on Monday.

After the glory days led by stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, coach Emerse Faé has formed a young, exciting team filled with talent from top European leagues.

He has chosen to focus on younger players and left out some older ones, including forward Wilfried Zaha, 33, who is currently on loan at Charlotte FC from Galatasaray.

RB Leipzig forward Yan Diomande, born on November 14, 2006, is the youngest player in the Ivorian team.

He is part of a thrilling new generation that includes Bazoumana Touré (TSG Hoffenheim), Christ Inao Oulai (Trabzonspor), Evann Guessand (Crystal Palace), Guela Doué (Strasbourg), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), Mohamed Koné (Charleroi), Oumar Diakité (Cercle Brugge), Elye Wahi (Nice), Simon Adingra (Monaco), Ange-Yoan Bonny (Inter Milan), and Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP). All of them are yet to reach 25 years old.

Other countries with young teams include Ecuador (26 years, 28 days), Morocco (26 years, 144 days), Bosnia and Herzegovina (26 years, 154 days), Tunisia (26 years, 235 days), Spain (26 years, 273 days), Norway (26 years, 293 days), and South Africa (26 years, 295 days).