Clément Akpa, a standout defender for AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1 this season, has earned his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team.
The 23-year-old defender has been included in the squad for their forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Burundi on March 21st and Gambia three days later.
Born in Meudon, a suburb of Paris, Akpa has played in 23 Ligue 1 games this season. He ranks second in his team for clearances per 90 minutes (4.8) and accurate long balls per 90 minutes (3.3).
Ivory Coast’s manager, Emerse Faé, who was also born in France, watched Akpa play against Lille OSC in January, in a match that ended in a 0-0 draw. Akpa has been in the starting lineup for his team’s last three league matches, during which Auxerre achieved two clean sheets, including a 2-0 victory over Stade de Reims last weekend.
Akpa was previously chosen for the Ivory Coast U23 team in March 2024. The Elephants are currently leading their qualifying group with 10 points after four games, one point ahead of Gabon.
Securing the top spot in the group would guarantee them an automatic qualification for the finals next year in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The Elephants last participated in a World Cup in 2014 in Brazil.