Herve Renard has left the possibility of Seko Fofana returning to international football open, despite the midfielder announcing his retirement from the Cote d’Ivoire national team at the age of 31.
Fofana made his decision public on social media less than a week before the next international break begins on 21 September. The FC Porto loanee, who has won 34 caps and scored seven goals for the Elephants, said he would now concentrate solely on his club career.
Renard was asked about the announcement during the Canal+ programme Talents d’Afrique. The Cote d’Ivoire manager said he had “not tried to retain him, but...” and indicated that the door could remain open if Fofana reconsidered his decision.
According to journalist Malick Traore, Fofana informed Idriss Diallo, president of the Federation Ivoirienne de Football (FIF), before making the announcement. Diallo is then reported to have passed the information on to Renard.
Fofana made his international debut in 2017 and represented Cote d’Ivoire intermittently before establishing himself as a regular from the eve of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, staged on home soil. He played a significant role in the Elephants’ triumph, which came eight years after their second title.
The former Lens midfielder had continued to receive regular call-ups and was regarded as one of the senior figures in the squad. However, his position had weakened in recent months following the emergence of younger players, including Christ Inao Oulai.
Fofana’s role had already diminished at the 2026 World Cup. Behind the Fiorentina player in the pecking order, he was used as a substitute in Cote d’Ivoire’s first two group matches, against Ecuador and Germany, before remaining on the bench for the rest of the tournament.
He is expected to be one of the notable absentees from Renard’s first squad announcement, due on Wednesday. Cote d’Ivoire will face Ghana and Somalia in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on 24 and 29 September respectively, before playing a friendly against Cameroon on 3 October.
Fofana’s decision therefore comes as the national team prepares for a run of three fixtures, while Renard weighs up his midfield options and the growing influence of the next generation of Cote d’Ivoire players.