The 2026 FIFA World Cup star Nicolas Pépé has made a shock decision to withdraw from the Ivory Coast national team squad due to personal reasons.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed on Saturday that the Villarreal CF winger has left camp training midway through the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
“Nicolas Pépé granted permission to leave the national squad for family reasons. The Ivorian Football Federation extends its best wishes to Nicolas Pépé and his wife and looks forward to the happy event,” reads the statement.
2026 WORLD CUP REVELATION
The dribbling wizard, a revelation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, launched his professional career at Stade Poitevin FC, followed by a switch to Angers SCO in 2013 and then a loan spell at US Orléans FC.
The 31-year-old eventually clinched a permanent transfer to LOSC Lille soon after returning to Angers SCO and went on to leave a mark in his two-year spell.
The World Cup sensation featured for the Elephants in back-to-back 2-0 victories over Ghana and Somalia in the past two weeks.
PEPE’S STINT WITH ARSENAL FC
After conquering French Ligue 1 with his repertoire of dribbling and scoring, Arsenal FC signed him in a big money deal, spending three Premier League campaigns with them before securing a loan return to OGC Nice in the 2022/23 season.
The following season, he signed for Turkish club Trabzonspor FC on a one-year deal before eventually leaving to sign for Villarreal CF.
Pepe was the standout player for the Elephants at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice and providing an assist in four appearances.