Newly appointed head coach of Somalia, Yussuf Ali Nur, said hope makes the Ocean Stars optimistic heading into their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Guinea and Botswana in Group G.
Speaking to the local media before the team’s departure to Ivory Coast earlier on Friday, Nur said he knows what to expect from both games. “Both nations are among the teams that we have previously faced. We have high hopes now. Both national teams are very competitive and we all are aware of it. With hope we want to achieve something from both games.”
Somalia are playing their home games away due to security reasons and Nur doesn’t see this as a setback. “The home and away thing today is still relevant but the team’s effort is what will get us results. So we are looking for opportunities to do better in both games.”
Somalia are bottom in Group G with zero points and their recent woes might force the coach to reconsider his approach. “We have failed in previous matches but we are hoping to do our best. We had a good preparation. God willing, we will get a result.”
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group G table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Algeria | 9 |
Mozambique | 9 |
Botswana | 9 |
Guinea | 6 |
Uganda | 6 |
Somalia | 0 |
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.
The three-time Somalia National League champion coach called up ten players from the local top flight while the rest of the squad is comprised of players who ply their trade outside the country. The Ocean Stars' last win in FIFA World Cup qualifying came in 2019 when they defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 courtesy goal from Anwar Sidai Shake.
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