Thigh Injury Sidelines Haller from Africa Cup

The former Bundesliga forward Sébastien Haller will not be available for Côte d'Ivoire at the Africa Cup. As the national football association announced on Friday, the 31 year old is missing the continental tournament due to a thigh injury. For the FC Utrecht professional, Evann Guessand from Aston Villa steps into the squad.

The defending champions begin in Group F on Christmas Eve against Mozambique at 18.30 in the tournament in Morocco. This is followed by matches against Cameroon on 28 December at 21.00 and Gabon on 31 December at 20.00. At the 2026 World Cup, the German national team will also face Côte d'Ivoire in the group stage in Toronto Canada on 20 June 2026.

Haller had already suffered an injury before the 2023 Africa Cup, yet he was nominated back then. In the semi final, the former Dortmund and Frankfurt player scored the decisive goal against DR Congo, and he also hit the net in the final against Nigeria for the victory.