IVORY COAST

Singo is at home among modern full-backs. He’s quick, strong and good on the ball, as effective going forward as he is in his own defensive third. After winning his first Côte d’Ivoire cap in 2021, he spent a year out of international football for personal reasons before a return in 2023. Having missed the last Afcon through injury, he will renew his rivalry with Guela Doué, who impressed in his place in Morocco, for the right-back spot this summer. The 25-year-old can also operate as a centre-back in either a back three or a back four. Singo initially wanted to be a goalkeeper like his father, who played amateur football. “But when I saw my friends scoring goals and all that, I decided to become an outfield player,” he said while at Torino.

The 19-year-old is certainly one to watch this summer. His form in Germany, where he has added goals to his game in his first season at the elite level, has made him a contender to win Tuttosport’s prestigious Golden Boy award, given to the best player under 21 in Europe. Diomande is an eye-catching dribbler and has tormented defenders in the Bundesliga since arriving from Leganés last summer for €20m. The big question is: can he handle the pressure of what comes next? If he can inspire Les Éléphants into the World Cup knockout stages and beyond, who’s to say one of Europe’s biggest clubs won’t come in with a mammoth offer?

Amad’s first major tournament with Côte d’Ivoire at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations lived up to the hype. He started four games, winning the player of the match award in three of them, as he led Emerse Faé’s attack from the right wing. The quick-thinking dribbler already carries a lot of the responsibility when it comes to creating and scoring chances. Côte d’Ivoire know the 24-year-old Manchester United forward will have to be at his best if they are going to progress through the rounds this summer. “I’m not trying to be Côte d’Ivoire’s best player,” a humble Amad said during the last Afcon. “I am just trying to do my best.”