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Ivory Coast's Diomande living World Cup dream, dealing with tragedy

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Ivory Coast's forward Yan Diomande gestures as he sits on the pitch during the 2026 World Cup Group E match vs Ecuador at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on June 14, 2026. [MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP]

Two years after leaving the United States following a series of unsuccessful MLS tryouts, Yan Diomande is shining at the World Cup for Ivory Coast -- and still grieving a family tragedy.

Diomande, 19, made his Ivory Coast debut in October and scored in his first two matches.

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