Ethiopia national team coach Mesay Teferi summoned 24 players for Ethiopia's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters against Egypt and Djibouti in March. The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) also announced the venue where the Waliyas will host Group A leaders Egypt.
Teferi named players who are predominantly playing in the Ethiopian Premier League as expected. Plans to include dual national players with Ethiopian heritage has yet to materialize.
Teferi opted to call Supersport United striker Abubeker Nasir. The 25-year-old former Ethiopian Coffee forward is yet to make his debut for the South African outfit. Nassir claims his injury hindered him from playing and it is not yet known if he will honor the call up.
In a very surprising call up, Fasil Kenema defensive midfielder Habtamu Tekeste and Mechal center back Asechalew Tamene were named in the squad. Tekeste returned to action after a two-year injury layoff. Tamene, who was previously a regular in the team, was ignored in recent call ups.
Ethiopian Premier League top goal scorer Ahmed Hussien and Ethiopian Insurance striker Mohammed Abera received a well deserved call up. Teferi yet again overlooked Iraq-based midfielder Gatoch Panom and Libya bound forward Canaan Markneh.
EFF officially announced the home game against Egypt will be played in Casablanca, Morocco. Stade Mohammed V will be the host venue as CAF has still not approved any Ethiopian stadium to host continental games. The second match against Djibouti, also scheduled as a home fixture, will be played in El Jadida, Morocco.
The Waliyas are fifth in Group A with three points, seven points behind the Pharaohs in a group that also includes Djibouti, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group A table (after 4 matches)
Points | |
Egypt | 10 |
Guinea-Bissau | 6 |
Burkina Faso | 5 |
Sierra Leone | 5 |
Ethiopia | 3 |
Djibouti | 1 |
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.
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