I. Sangaré
Coupe de la Ligue · Midfielder · #6 · Côte d'Ivoire · 28 yrs
I. Sangaré news
Mixed fortunes for Forest's World Cup four
Incoming Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner may not work with Manchester City-bound midfielder Elliot Anderson, but he still has a number of players who have been at the World Cup. Winger Dan Ndoye's Switzerland are aiming to reach the last 16 when they face Algeria on Friday. Ibrahim Sangare started three of Ivory Coast's four games, with the Elephants exiting the competition after their late loss to Norway in the last 32.
Is Erling Haaland playing? Ivory Coast vs Norway confirmed lineups for the 2026 World Cup match
Norway face Ivory Coast, looking to secure their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Ståle Solbakken's attacking side take on Emerse Fae's solid defense. Because of this, fans are keeping a close eye on Erling Haaland's status. After a competitive group stage, Ivory Coast and Norway face each other in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. While Ståle Solbakken’s team will look to dominate possession and shine in the air, Emerse Fae’s team will rely on a solid defense and an efficient counterattack. As a result, the match is expected to be highly competitive. Because of the importance of the game, fans are keeping a close eye on Erling Haaland‘s status, as he could make the difference. Erling Haaland will start for Norway, as he has no injuries or suspensions. After being rested against France, he is in full physical condition to shine against Ivory Coast and remains a cornerstone for head coach Ståle Solbakken. As one of the tournament’s top scorers, he will look to lead his national team to another victory while closing the gap on Lionel Messi in the scoring charts. Alongside Haaland, Norway will maintain their attacking approach with Antonio Nusa and Alexander Sørloth. In addition, Fredrik Aursnes and Martin Ødegaard will also return to midfield, aiming to control the tempo of the game. With this, they will look to stop the opposition’s counterattacks effectively. However, Sander Berge, Torbjørn Heggem, and Kristoffer Ajer will have to shine in defense, stopping the opposition’s progression. Ivory Coast have emerged as one of the best defensive teams in the tournament. Because of this, head coach Emerse Fae could stick with his approach, looking to shut down every attacking opportunity for Norway. However, all eyes are on Yan Diomande, who could be key in the left wing, creating space and launching counterattacks. With this in mind, Franck Kessié and Nicolas Pépé will look to shine once again in front of goal. Erling Haaland #9 of Norway heads the ball against Zaid Tahseen #4 of Iraq. Ivory Coast confirmed lineup vs Norway Ivory Coast are determined to stick with the same approach they used in their previous matches: Solid in defense and efficient on the counterattack. However, head coach Emerse Fae has decided to leave Amad Diallo on the bench, opting to add an extra midfielder and strengthen the defense. Despite this, Yan Diomande and Nicolas Pépé will start on the wings, looking to create space against Norway, where they will have to be efficient. Considering this, Ivory Coast will lineup as follows: Yahia Fofana; Ghislain Konan, Odilon Kossounou, Guela Doue, Emmanuel Agbadou; Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangaré, Christ Inao Oulai; Yan Diomande, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Nicolas Pepe. Norway confirmed lineup vs Ivory Coast Norway come into the match as the clear favorites to defeat Ivory Coast. After resting their stars against France, head coach Ståle Solbakken has once again opted for his strongest lineup, with Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard leading the way. In addition, they could rely on a strong midfield, looking to control possession while also stopping the opposition’s counterattacks. With this in mind, Norway will play as follows: Orjan Nyland; Kristoffer Ajer, David Moller Wolfe, Marcus Holmgreen Pedersen, Torbjorn Heggem; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Alexander Sorloth, Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa.
Ivory Coast 2026 World Cup preview: Squad breakdown, key player, and tactical analysis
Full preview of Ivory Coast for the 2026 World Cup, including squad breakdown, key players, and tactical analysis of their chances. The Ivory Coast arrives at the 2026 World Cup aiming to break a frustrating historical trend. Despite fielding elite talent over the past two decades, the national team has never advanced past the group stage in its three previous appearances at the global tournament. Expectations are shifting under coach Emerse Fae following the team’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. The squad boasts a remarkable defensive record from qualifying and an exciting new generation of attackers. This World Cup 2026 team preview breaks down the tactical approach that makes the Elephants so difficult to beat. We also highlight the rapid rise of star forward Yan Diomande and analyze their chances of finally reaching the knockout rounds this summer. Team profile CoachEmerse FaeNicknameThe ElephantsFIFA Ranking34thConfederationCAFGroupGroup EBest Tournament ResultGroup stageTournament Appearances3Last Appearance2014 How Ivory Coast play Emerse Fae has built a resilient and adaptable side that typically lines up in an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Depending on the opponent, the coaching staff is willing to shift into a 4-2-3-1 or drop into a compact defensive block. Defensive solidity is the foundation of the Ivory Coast tactical analysis. Anchored by Roma center-back Evan Ndicka, the backline proved impenetrable during qualifying. They rarely concede high-quality chances and maintain excellent defensive shape out of possession. In midfield, Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare provide a physical and experienced shield. This allows the team to absorb pressure and launch rapid transitions. Going forward, the Elephants rely on explosive wingers to stretch the opposition. Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo offer blistering pace and isolation ability on the flanks. Emerse Fae: The Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae took charge of the national team under extraordinary circumstances just over two years ago. Promoted midway through the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations following the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset, Fae orchestrated a stunning turnaround to win the continental title. That triumph instantly cemented his status as a national hero. The former youth team manager then successfully navigated the African qualifiers, ending a 12-year absence from the global stage. Before moving to the dugout, Fae was a tireless central midfielder who represented the Ivory Coast at the 2006 tournament in Germany. His playing career included stints at Nantes, Reading, and Nice before injuries forced an early retirement. Fae represents a modern generation of African coaches. His leadership blends emotional intelligence with tactical pragmatism, a combination that has completely revitalized the Ivory Coast locker room. Key player: Yan Diomande Yan Diomande has enjoyed a meteoric rise to become the focal point of the Ivory Coast attack. The 19-year-old forward currently stars for RB Leipzig, where he recently recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 30 Bundesliga appearances. Since making his senior international debut in late 2025, Diomande has quickly accumulated nine caps and three goals. He operates effectively across the frontline but does his best work on the right wing, using his explosive speed and exceptional dribbling to isolate defenders. Technically gifted with both feet, Diomande can hold the ball up under pressure and consistently pick out teammates in the final third. The team’s transition offense relies heavily on his ability to carry the ball upfield and create high-quality chances. Ivory Coast’s road to the 2026 World Cup The Ivory Coast dominated CAF Group F to secure direct qualification, finishing top of the table with eight wins and two draws. Remarkably, the team completed the entire 10-match cycle without conceding a single goal, posting a +25 goal difference. While an opening 9-0 victory over the Seychelles set a continental record, the definin
Manchester United linked with Sangaré
According to Foot Mercato, Manchester United is preparing an offer for RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangaré. The 23-year-old has impressed in Ligue 1 and has attracted interest from several clubs after a strong season with Lens. Sangaré joined Lens from Rapid Vienna in 2025 and quickly became an important player for the French club. He […] The post Manchester United linked with Sangaré appeared first on SoccerNews.