Serious doubts surround Sébastien Haller 's participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) , scheduled to take place in Morocco . The Ivory Coast international striker injured his hamstring during a league match with his club, FC Utrecht , raising serious concerns just days before the tournament's kickoff.

Sébastien Haller, who came on as a substitute in the match between Utrecht and NAC Breda , was forced to leave the pitch prematurely after only a few minutes, visibly suffering from a hamstring injury . The brief but concerning incident immediately alerted the technical and medical staff of the Dutch club.

According to initial reports from the Utrecht coach, the injury could require a significant period of unavailability. Although no definitive medical diagnosis has yet been officially released, the nature of the injury suggests a prolonged absence, making the player's participation in the Africa Cup of Nations highly uncertain .

This situation represents a potential blow for Ivory Coast , the reigning continental champions. A key player in the Elephants' attacking setup, Sébastien Haller played a pivotal role in Ivory Coast's victory at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. His potential withdrawal would force the coach to reconsider his attacking options ahead of a tournament where Ivorian ambitions remain high.

At this stage, no official statement has been released by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) regarding the player's medical condition. The coming hours, or even days, will be crucial, with thorough examinations expected to determine the exact severity of the injury and the recovery timeframe.

Meanwhile, the Ivorian technical staff remains suspended pending medical results, aware that Sébastien Haller's participation could be a race against time.