After two years out of the national team, Wilfried Zaha was recalled by Ivory Coast on Tuesday to help defend the Africa Cup of Nations title at the tournament starting this month.
The 33-year-old Zaha – who played in Major League Soccer for Charlotte this year on loan from Galatasaray – was included in a selection of 26 players by coach Emerse Faé. Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Manchester United’s Amad Diallo are also in the team.
Ivory Coast is in a group with Mozambique, Cameroon and Gabon at the tournament from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco.
Longtime Crystal Palace winger Zaha played at three AFCON tournaments but was not selected for the host nation for the previous edition in 2024.
Ivory Coast then sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset after he struggled in the group stage, and his assistant Faé was promoted to lead the team through a stunning knockout stages to the title.
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Zaha was not recalled by Faé for the subsequent World Cup qualifiers, but Ivory Coast still won its group to advance to next year’s tournament in North America.
Zaha played 33 times for Ivory Coast and scored five goals. He was born in the Ivorian capital Abidjan, grew up in London and played two friendlies for England before receiving permission from FIFA to change his international eligibility.
Published on December 10, 2025
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