Elephants turn to Operi after Akpa suffers tournament-ending injury

By Betty Enoch 

 

 

Côte d'Ivoire have been dealt a late setback ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defender Clement Akpa was ruled out through injury, forcing a change in coach's squad just days before the Elephants' final preparations gather momentum.

The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed on Saturday that Akpa will miss the tournament after suffering an adductor injury while training with French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre. 

The 23-year-old defender, who has earned five caps for the West African nation, was also absent from Auxerre's final league fixture earlier this month due to the setback.

To fill the void, Côte d'Ivoire has recalled left-back Christopher Operi, who returns to the national team fold after overcoming an injury that sidelined him following March's international friendlies against South Korea and Scotland.

Operi, who plies his trade with Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir, has already linked up with the squad at their training camp in Paris as preparations intensify for the global showpiece.

The reigning African champions are scheduled to face France in a high-profile international friendly in Nantes on June 4, a match expected to provide a crucial test before their World Cup campaign gets underway.

Côte d'Ivoire faces a challenging assignment in Group E, where they will come up against Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao as they seek to make a strong impression on football's biggest stage.

The injury to Akpa represents an untimely blow for the Elephants, but the return of the experienced Operi offers coach Fae an immediate solution as the Ivorians continue their quest for a memorable World Cup campaign.