Nicolas Pepe Replaces Injured Yann Diomande in Ivory Coast Team

Pepe recalled to Ivory Coast squad after Diomande injury

Ivory Coast recall Nicolas Pepe to national squad after teenage star Yann Diomande injury. Pepe back in Ivory Coast squad for friendlies against South Korea and Scotland.

Pepe replaces Diomande in Ivory Coast team for World Cup warm-up matches...

Nicolas Pepe has been recalled to the Ivory Coast national squad, replacing injured teenager Yann Diomande, who was set to participate in the World Cup warm-up matches. Pepe, a 30-year-old forward, had been left out of the initial squad for friendlies against South Korea and Scotland.

The Villarreal player, who has scored five LaLiga goals this season, was omitted from the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco earlier this year, where Ivory Coast was eliminated in the quarter-finals. Pepe had sparked controversy after his last appearance for the national team, making comments about Morocco's poor record at the Cup of Nations, but has since apologized.

The player wasn't included in the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco earlier this year. Ivory Coast was defending their title but got knocked out in the quarter-finals.

The French-born former Arsenal striker, who has scored five LaLiga goals for Villarreal this season, won the last of his 50 caps for Ivory Coast in October. However, he sparked controversy soon after for comments made in a YouTube video about Morocco's poor record at the Africa Cup of Nations.

🚨 COMMUNIQUÉ – Fenêtre FIFA (mars 2026)

Yan Diomandé est forfait (blessure à l’épaule).
Il est remplacé par Nicolas Pépé pour les matchs amicaux face à la Corée du Sud et à l’Écosse.

Prompt rétablissement à lui. 🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/Llc1kDsZQW

— Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮🐘 (@FIFCI_tweet) March 22, 2026

Nicolas Pepe has apologized for his previous comments about Morocco's performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, but he's also spoken out about the racial abuse he received online and accused the Ivorian football federation of not supporting him. This controversy led to him being left out of the initial squad, but he's now been recalled due to Yann Diomande's injury.

Ivory Coast is set to face tough competition in World Cup Group E, alongside Ecuador, Germany, and Curacao. With Pepe back in the squad, the team might have a boost in their attacking lineup.