FIFA has identified Côte d’Ivoire as the youngest team competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with an average squad age of 25.8 years.
The world football governing body made the announcement on its official World Cup X account on Sunday as the Elephants prepared for their opening match of the tournament.
“Introducing Côte d’Ivoire… Youngest squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” FIFA posted, noting the team’s youthful profile ahead of the expanded 48-team competition being co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Among the youngest players in the Ivorian squad is Yan Diomande, the RB Leipzig forward born on November 14, 2006.
The squad also features a number of emerging talents yet to celebrate their 25th birthdays, including Bazoumana Touré, Christ Inao Oulai, Evann Guessand, Guela Doué, Amad Diallo, Mohamed Koné, Oumar Diakité, Elye Wahi, Simon Adingra, Ange-Yoan Bonny, and Ousmane Diomande.
FIFA’s ranking of the tournament’s youngest squads places Ecuador second with an average age of 26 years and 28 days, followed by Morocco, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia, Spain, Norway, and South Africa.
The youthful composition of the Côte d’Ivoire squad reflects the country’s growing investment in young talent as it seeks to make an impact on the global stage.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, expanding from the previous 32-team format.