Ivory Coast take on Somalia this Sunday, 29 September (19:00 UTC), at the Accra Sports Stadium in a 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The Elephants, sitting second in their World Cup qualifying group with six points, are aiming to bounce back from their last defeat against Norway (1-2) in June.

Head coach Emerse Faé is working with a squad seeking consistency. Their last five outings have yielded three wins and two losses. Victories over Curaçao, Ecuador, and Philadelphia Union II were offset by defeats to Germany and Norway.

The likely lineup

The recent starting XI could provide a template. It featured Y. Fofana in goal, a back four of Zogbe, O. Diomande, Ndicka and Konan, a double pivot of Sangaré and Kessié, and an attacking trio behind striker Bonny made up of Pépé, Yalcouyé and Y. Diomande. The upcoming fixtures show this game is key for the team's momentum before the next break.

The Elephants' last outing was a 1-2 home loss to Norway on 30 June, ending a positive run. They have scored four goals and conceded two in their recent matches. Sunday's game offers a chance to reset ahead of the next international window. The fixture will be played in Accra, Ghana, as a neutral venue.

Manager Hervé Renard began his tenure with a 2-0 win against Ghana on September 24. The new prodigy Malick Yalcouyé, on his first cap, scored and won a penalty. Franck Kessié converted that penalty. Yahia Fofana made a key save. The Elephants, who now have four wins and two defeats from their last six matches, then travel to Somalia.

Central defender Ousmane Diomande played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 victory over Ghana on September 24, according to his club Real Madrid. The 22-year-old was one of the standout performers for the Ivory Coast national team in this first matchday of AFCON qualifying, the Spanish club stated. The Elephants, who have scored four goals and conceded two this season, face Somalia this Tuesday.

Update, 2026-09-29 Inter Milan confirmed that Ange-Yoan Bonny started and played 72 minutes in Ivory Coast's 2-0 win over Ghana. The forward was replaced by Wahi, the Italian club stated. The Elephants, who have now scored four goals and conceded two this season, face Somalia on Sunday.