Burkina Faso national team coach Brama Traoré expects a different game when the Stallions face Guinea-Bissau on matchday six of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifier. After trouncing Djibouti 4-1 in El Jadida, Burkina Faso have now shifted their focus to Guinea-Bissau as they plan to hold on to their runner-up position in Group A.
Traoré emphasized the visitors will be facing a different challenge than they had a few days ago. "We're going to play against a team that's above Djibouti. So, we have to be ready. We can't expect an easy match. We're expecting a difficult match because the Bissau-Guineans are playing at home. Bissau is a tougher opponent than Djibouti.”
Burkina Faso will also be without central defender Issoufou Dayo, an important leader in the team, due to yellow card accumulation as will as midfielder Ismahila Ouédraogo for the same reason. Edmond Tapsoba is also unavailable due to injury, leaving PSV defender Adamo Nagalo and Wolves' big money signing Nasser Djiga as the likely partnership.
Traoré further noted the 3-1 defeat of Guinea-Bissau at the hands of Sierra Leone will have an effect on the game. "They will immediately seek to regain their health after their defeat against Sierra Leone. We will prepare for this match, which is decisive for securing the three points.”
Burkina Faso has never qualified for the World Cup. They are second in Group A with eight points, five points adrift of leaders Egypt.
Group A Table
Points | |
Egypt | 13 |
Burkina Faso | 8 |
Sierra Leone | 8 |
Guinea-Bissau | 6 |
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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