The Liverpool defender was named as part of Sabri Lamouchi's 23-man squad for the tournament on Sunday even though he did not feature in their 2-1 defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.
Lamouchi's squad has seen five players released from the provisional 28 with strikers Seydou Doumbie, who scored 20 goals for CSKA Moscow last season, and Lacina Traore both being cut.
The pair are joined by defenders Benjamin Angoua and Brice Dja Djedje plus goalkeeper Badra Ali in missing Ivory Coast's third appearance at a finals.
Informing the five players was a tough task for Lamouchi who admitted it brought back memories of his exclusion from France's squad for their hosting of the World Cup in 1998.
"I've known a few difficult moments in my two years as national coach," Supersport quote him as saying. "But today has been by far the most difficult day.
"I have to do my job responsibly and make tough decisions. The five players who will not take part in the World Cup have been exemplary throughout."
