Amad Diallo begins World Cup journey with Ivory Coast

Amad Diallo’s road from Manchester United’s right flank to the biggest stage in football officially kicks off tonight. The Ivory Coast winger, selected for the Elephants’ 2026 FIFA World Cup squad back on May 15, is part of the contingent traveling to the United States for a tournament that begins on June 14.

From qualifier hero to World Cup starter

Diallo’s inclusion in the squad was never really in doubt after what he did during qualifying. Ivory Coast punched their ticket to the tournament with a commanding 3-0 victory over Kenya back in October 2025. Diallo was directly involved in two of those goals, scoring one and assisting another.

That performance cemented his status as one of the first names on coach Emerse Faé’s team sheet. The 22-year-old wearing the number 15 jersey has become a fixture of the national team setup, not just a squad rotation option.

Then came the pre-tournament friendlies, where Diallo delivered perhaps his most eye-catching moment yet in Ivory Coast colors. On June 4, in a warm-up match against France, he found the net in the 84th minute to hand the Elephants a victory against Les Bleus. It was Ivory Coast’s first win over France in four attempts.

What Diallo brings to the Ivory Coast attack

The Ivory Coast squad includes established names like Franck Kessié and the emerging talent of Yan Diomande. Diallo’s pace and dribbling ability on the right wing, along with his creativity in the final third, make him a key attacking option under Faé.

Ivory Coast’s broader ambitions

The Elephants won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2024. The 2026 World Cup is an expanded tournament, featuring 48 teams for the first time.

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