The Comoros national team is now a force to be reckoned with in African football and head coach Stefano Cusin has called in a formidable squad for the Coelacanths' upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against against Mali and Chad.
Skilled attackers Rafiki Saïd, Myziane Maolida and Faïz Selemani are all ready to go as Comoros look to maintain their position at the top of Group I. The island nation will be based in the Moroccan city of Berkane, the venue where they dramatically secured qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in November, to host a crucial match against Mali on March 20 before facing Chad five days later at the same venue.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group I table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Comoros | 9 |
Ghana | 9 |
Madagascar | 7 |
Mali | 5 |
Central African Republic | 4 |
Chad | 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 second match against Chad, who have decided not to call in players based abroad, is expected to be a routine victory leaving all the focus on the first clash with Mali. Maolida and Selemani are both in strong form in the Saudi Pro League and join tricky winger Saïd in an attack with a fierce punch.
Youssouf M'Changama is an experienced playmaker and set piece specialist who has performed on the big stage before. Zaydou Youssouf and Yacine Bourhane are strong central midfield options who form the spine of the Comorian team.
Compared to the midfield and attacking departments, the defense is perhaps a bit weaker but still contains plenty of experience. Comoros are level with Ghana at the top of the group but will need to remain solid to avoid losing ground to the Black Stars who begin with Chad before playing Madagascar in Morocco.
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