2026 WCQ: Togo and Mauritania play to entertaining draw in Lomé

Both Mauritania and hosts Togo showed the attacking urgency they needed on Saturday in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Despite an entertaining 2-2 draw in Lomé, however, the result helps neither team's push to move back into contention in Group B.

Rooted far adrift of the top contenders in Group B, only a victory was acceptable to both teams in Saturday's opening match. Defensive tactics were thrown to the side as hosts Togo opened the scoring in the 4th minute through Thibault Kildjé, who finished with a powerful header from a perfect cross by ASEC Mimosas right back Atte Youssifou.

The early goal represented a perfect start for Togo who dominated the opening thirty minutes. However, the visitors from Mauritania grabbed control before halftime and turned the match on its head early in the second half. Star forward Aboubakary Koïta leveled the match in the 52nd minute when he collected a pass on the left wing before cutting inside and firing past Togo goalkeeper Malcolm Barcola.

Less than three minutes later, Mauritania took the lead when Bouna Sidi Amar's cross made it past a sliding Barcola for Abdallahi Mahmoud to apply an easy finish at the far post.

However, Togo did not go down easily and the Sparrow Hawks fought back to equalize in the 69th minute through Kévin Denkey who won the ball at the edge of the Mauritanian penalty area before firing in his finish.

Barcola nearly gifted Mauritania the lead Papa Yade won the ball off the goalkeeper but a heroic effort Togo defender Josue Homawoo prevented disaster. Both teams fought furiously for a match winner but were forced to share the spoils in the end.

Togo next travel to face Senegal on Tuesday. Mauritania will host DR Congo in Nouakchott on the same day.

Group B Table

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.