Nicolas Pépé leaves Ivory Coast squad for birth

Nicolas Pépé has been allowed to leave Côte d’Ivoire’s national-team camp to be with his wife ahead of the birth of their child. The decision means the Villarreal winger will not take part in the Elephants’ friendly against Cameroon on Saturday, 3 October.

Pépé’s release from the squad is linked to the imminent arrival of the couple’s third child. His wife is preparing to give birth, and the forward has been granted permission to leave the national-team gathering so he can be present with his family. The development is a personal absence rather than a sporting sanction or a reported injury.

The Ivorian Football Federation sent its best wishes to Pépé and his wife as they await the new arrival. Pépé, part of the Côte d’Ivoire side that won the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, already has two children. The birth will bring the family’s total number of children to three.

His withdrawal leaves Côte d’Ivoire without one of its recognised attacking options for the meeting with Cameroon. Pépé’s club role is on the right wing, and his departure comes before a fixture intended to give the Elephants another international test. The available information does not indicate whether he will return for any later national-team activity.