2026 World Cup Qualifying: Angola squad named with plenty of experience and explosive attackers

The Angola national team is set to begin preparing for challenging fixtures in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying and the player list of head coach Pedro Gonçalves was made public on Tuesday.

The Palancas Negras have a difficult test at Libya on March 20 before traveling to the Angolan capital of Luanda to host fellow Lusophone nation Cape Verde on March 25. With the campaign set to surpass the halfway point, Gonçalves is mostly counting on experience and established players to get the job done at a crucial moment. Angola are currently fourth place in Group D but only two points behind group leaders Cameroon.

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group D table (4 matches played)

• 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.

Facing two nations currently ahead on the table, the matches in March present an excellent opportunity for Angola to leap into second place or even possible first place if group leaders Cameroon falter. Gonçalves' will lean on the high quality of his defense which has only conceded once in their four matches.

Experienced central defender Bastos is in the squad along with defensive star Kialonda Gaspar. Olympique Lyonnais right back Clinton Mata makes a long-awaited return to the Palancas after missing the team's last four competitive matches.

Another beacon of experience, creative midfielder Fredy, is the leader of the youngest department in the team. Adana Demirspor player Maestro is likely to play after establishing himself as a strong option during Angola's successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Manuel Keliano, FC Porto player Domingos Andrade and Vitória de Guimarães rising talent Beni add to the youth component in the midfield.

Gonçalves will need more production from his attack which is quite capable and talented despite a lack of goals so far in the qualifying mission. Star forward Gelson Dala returns to the team while Ligue 1 forward M'Bala Nzola and Al Ahli Tripoli goal hunter Mabululu are the candidates to play the role of striker at the top of the formation.

Of note is the inclusion of forward Afimico Pululu, a player who has captured the attention of Gonçalves after displaying sparkling form in the Polish top flight and the UEFA Europa Conference League with Jagiellonia Białystok. Petro de Luanda attacker Gilberto, Red Star Belgrade winger Milson and Greek-based attacker Zini are also unpredictable players who may play a role.