A talented but underperforming Mali national team will look to get their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track after head coach Tom Saintfiet named his squad for the March FIFA window. Mali are behind the pace in fourth place, four points back of Group I co-leaders Comoros and Ghana, but still have time to make up ground.
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.
Les Aigles open with a massive match against Comoros in Berkane, Morocco on March 20 before traveling to Casablanca to face Central African Republic on March 24. Belgian tactician Saintfiet has called in a 26-man squad for the Group I clashes.
The midfield continues to be the strongest department for the Eagles. Yves Bissouma continues to emerge as a team leader and was named by Saintfiet as his captain after donning the armband during Mali's successful 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Aliou Dieng, Mohamed Camara and Lassana Coulibaly are all strong options as well in the heart of the Malian midfield while Kamory Doumbia is the best attacking midfielde option who can also play in a more advanced role. Ibrahima Koné, El Bilal Touré and Sékou Koïta will battle to be the featured striker and Nene Dorgeles is a rising star who brings dazzling flair to complement the power of the striking options.
Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra is set to get the nod between the sticks and will be behind a defense that should feature central defenders Mamadou Fofana (of Major League Soccer's New England Revolution) and Abdoulaye Diaby (St. Gallen, Switzerland). The Malian defense only conceded one goal in six matches during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying but will be firmly tested by the lethal attack of Comoros.
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