Wilfried Zaha Joins Ivory Coast Squad for Africa Cup of Nations Defense. Abidjan, Ivory Coast — December 9, 2025 — Wilfried Zaha has been called back into the Ivory Coast national team ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, where the team aims to defend its title.
The 33-year-old winger, who spent the year playing in Major League Soccer for Charlotte on loan from Galatasaray, was named in a 26-player squad by coach Emerse Faé.
Zaha, who has previously represented the Ivory Coast at three AFCON tournaments, was not selected for the nation’s squad in the 2024 edition. His absence followed a coaching change in the national team, with Jean-Louis Gasset being fired after a disappointing group stage performance.
Faé, Gasset’s assistant, was promoted to lead the team to a title-winning knockout phase.
Despite not recalling Zaha for World Cup qualifiers, Ivory Coast successfully advanced to the next tournament in North America. Zaha has accumulated 33 caps for his country and scored five goals.
Born in Abidjan, the Ivorian capital, Zaha grew up in London and played two friendly games for England before obtaining FIFA permission to switch his international eligibility.
The Ivory Coast will compete in Group B of the AFCON, which includes Mozambique, Cameroon, and Gabon.
The tournament is set to take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, 2026. Further details regarding Zaha’s role in the squad and the team’s preparation for the tournament are expected to be announced in the coming days.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
