Coasta de Fildeş

Ivory Coast have suffered a defensive blow ahead of the June 4 friendly, as central defender Clément Akpa was ruled out of the 2026 World Cup with an adductor injury announced on May 29. The federation responded by calling up a replacement to join the Paris training camp, giving the coach a chance to integrate fresh defensive cover before the France test. Ivory Coast will aim to stabilise their back line in the upcoming friendly and keep their World Cup preparations on track.