Mauritania national side head coach Aritz Lopez Garai has called up 25 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters against Togo and DR Congo this March. Garai's charges will travel to face Togo away on March 22 before returning home to host DR Congo three days later.
The Spanish trainer took over the national side this year and the matches in March will be his first assignment guiding Mauritania. Garai guided Mauritania to qualification for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) which will take place in August. The odds are against the West African nation in World Cup qualifying after a poor start left them with only one point through four matches in Group B.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group B table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Sudan | 10 |
Senegal | 8 |
DR Congo | 7 |
Togo | 3 |
South Sudan | 2 |
Mauritania | 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.
Garai called in a mix of players from the local top division and European leagues. French-based Mamadou Diop looks like the first-choice goalkeeper after Babacar Niasse was omitted from the list. Babacar Diop and Abderrahmane Sarr complete the goalkeeping department.
Kahdim Diaw of Al Hilal Omdurman and Croatia based Lamine Ba retained their place in the roster. Houssen Abderrahmane is excluded from the list. The 30-year-old Cannes defender is replaced by a group of players from local side Nouadhibou.
The midfield department consists Al Hilal’s top performer Guessouma Fofana. AEK Athens striker Aboubakary Koita leads the line for Lions of Chinguetti. The list also includes Papa Ndiaga Yade and Wydad Casablanca attacker Amar Sidi Bouna as Mauritania eyes to score a goal for the first time in the campaign.
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