Evan Ndicka

Ndicka has been left behind in Rome to receive treatment from his AS Roma club doctors after suffering a thigh tear in the final round of Serie A, with the Ivory Coast technical staff confirming he will not join the squad before their departure for Philadelphia, according to Abdoul Kapo of IvoireZine. "Evan has not yet joined us because he is injured. We preferred to leave him to be treated properly in Rome in an environment he knows well. He is being taken care of by his club's doctors."

Analysis: Ndicka is considered doubtful for the first two group stage matches at minimum, with some sources suggesting he could miss the entire first round, and a final decision will only be made at the last possible moment ahead of Ivory Coast's opener against Ecuador. The center-back has been one of the pillars of the African champion's defensive unit, scoring five goals, contributing 69 interceptions, 176 clearances and 35 tackles across 41 appearances in all competitions this season, making his absence an enormous blow for a side that will need their best defensive options available if they are to make a deep run at the tournament. Emmanuel Agbadou is set to receive a larger role for the Elephants until the Roman returns.

May 18, 2026

Suffers serious thigh issue

N'Dicka has been diagnosed with a grade two right biceps femoris strain, Mediaset reported.

Analysis: N'Dicka will be evaluated by his national team's staff, as he's in serious doubt for at least the World Cup opener in less than a month. Devyne Rensch or Daniele Ghilardi will fill in against Verona on Sunday. He had another solid campaign, scoring five times, helping secure 15 clean sheets and totaling 69 interceptions, 176 clearances and 35 tackles in 41 appearances (38 starts) across all competitions.

Explore more players

Amir Rrahmani

NAP• #13• CB

Gianluca Mancini

ROM• #23• CB

Oumar Solet

UDI• #28• CB

Leo Østigård

GEN• #5• CB

Evan Ndicka

Ranking

Timeline

Grades

Key Grades

This season

Overall Grades by game

This season

Metrics

Key Metrics

Matches

News