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Burkina Faso recall Bertrand Traore for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers

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Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Isidore Traore celebrates a goal with teammates during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations match with Mali

Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore has returned to the national team for the first time since November after recovering from a knee injury.

The Ajax forward headlines a 25-man squad named by coach Brama Traoré for the upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau later this month.

The squad also sees the return of several key players, including first-choice goalkeeper Hervé Koffi (Lens), defender Mohamed Ali Yabré (PSV Eindhoven), and midfielder Ismahila Ouédraogo (Atromitos), all of whom were absent in recent international windows.

Coach Brama Traoré will be looking to build momentum as Burkina Faso push for qualification to their first-ever FIFA World Cup.

The Stallions currently sit in a competitive qualifying group and will aim to take maximum points in the double-header against Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau.

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Alongside Bertrand Traoré, other major returnees include defender Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven), midfielder Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC), and winger Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth). 

Their presence bolsters a team that struggled with absences in previous fixtures.

Goalkeeper Hervé Koffi, who has been Burkina Faso’s first-choice shot-stopper for several years, is back to take command between the posts.

His return provides stability in goal as the Stallions prepare for two crucial matches in their qualifying campaign.

New Faces in the Squad

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Three players have earned their first national team call-ups. Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger) joins the squad for the first time, while France-based duo Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio) and Cyriaque Irié (Troyes) also receive their maiden selections.

Their inclusion highlights the coach’s intent to expand the talent pool and test fresh options ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile, Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy), who made his international debut last November, keeps his place in the squad. Established names such as Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), and Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava) also feature prominently.

Aziz Ki Left Out Again

Notably absent from the squad is Stéphane Aziz Ki (Young Africans), who is left out for the second consecutive international break.

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His omission comes after he made headlines following his marriage to Tanzanian singer Hamisa Mobetto. The reasons for his continued absence remain undisclosed by the coach.

Squad Balance and Strength in Key Areas

Burkina Faso’s squad features a mix of experience and emerging talent across all positions. In goal, Koffi is supported by Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club) and Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag).

The defence is led by Bundesliga star Edmond Tapsoba, alongside Wolverhampton’s Yacouba Djiga, Werder Bremen’s Issa Kaboré, and RS Berkane’s Issoufou Dayo.

The midfield is packed with creative and defensive options, with Blati Touré, Cédric Badolo, and Mohamed Zougrana expected to play crucial roles.

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In attack, Traoré’s return strengthens an already talented frontline, which also includes Dango Ouattara and Mohamed Konaté (Al-Riyadh).

Burkina Faso will look to make a statement in these qualifiers as they continue their quest for a historic place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Burkina Faso Squad

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (Lens, France), Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club, DRC), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Yacouba Djiga (Wolverhampton, England), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Issa Kaboré (Werder Bremen, Germany), Mohamed Yabré (ASEC Mimosas, Ivory Coast), Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio, France), Issoufou Dayo (RS Berkane, Morocco)

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Midfielders: Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger, Algeria), Ismahila Ouédraogo (Pansekairos, Greece), Saïdou Simporé (Al Masry, Egypt), Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia), Raouf Memel Dao (Sonabel, Burkina Faso), Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy, France), Salou Dramane (Hapoel Haifa, Israel)

Forwards: Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth, England), Hassane Bandé (HJK Helsinki, Finland), Cyriaque Irié (Troyes, France), Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Mohamed Konaté (Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Bertrand Traoré (Ajax, Netherlands)

-CAF

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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Trump says U.S. trade tensions with Mexico, Canada will make World Cup more exciting

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U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

Political and economic tensions between the United States and its 2026 World Cup co-hosts Canada and Mexico will make the tournament more exciting, U.S. President Donald Trump said after signing an executive order to create a task force for the event.

Speaking in the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump said the task force, which he will chair, would co-ordinate with federal agencies in planning, organising and executing the 48-team global soccer tournament.

Earlier this week, the Trump administration imposed across-the-board 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico before announcing on Thursday a one-month reprieve for both countries on goods compliant under a North American trade pact.

When asked about the World Cup in light of the current trade tensions between the three nations, Trump said on Friday, “I think it’s going to make it more exciting.”

“Tension is a good thing, it makes it much more exciting.”

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The exemptions for the two largest U.S. trading partners, expire on April 2, when Trump has threatened to impose a global regime of reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners.

The World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The expanded tournament will feature 104 matches instead of the previous 64 games, including an additional knockout round.

-Reuters

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‘Ineligible’ now turns eligible as FIFA clears Equatorial Guinea skipper Nsue

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Equatorial Guinea’s Nsue Leads Goal Scorers’ Chart -

Equatorial Guinea’s record goalscorer Emilio Nsue has been officially cleared to play for the country by Fifa – more than a decade after the former Spain youth international made his senior debut for the African nation.

There was widespread surprise in May last year when football’s world governing body handed Nsue, now 35, a six-month ban, deeming him ineligible to play in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

At the time, FIFA said it was “comfortably satisfied” that Nsue, who won the golden boot at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, had never received clearance to formalise his switch from Spain.

But that changed on Wednesday when FIFA approved a second request by Equatorial Guinea’s football federation (Feguifut) – 12 years after its first attempt.

“FIFA’s decision has been very positive for us and for all the people of Equatorial Guinea,” Feguifut president Venancio Tomas Ndong Micha told BBC Sport Africa.

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“After so many years, and months, we were able to show that Emilio was eligible and finally Fifa showed justice in this case.”

FIFA’s shock ruling last year came 43 games after Nsue’s 2013 debut for Equatorial Guinea, a side he has often captained and for whom he has scored a record 22 goals.

After he struck twice in World Cup qualifying wins against Namibia and Liberia in late 2023, FIFA ruled that both games would be forfeited 3-0.

Feguifut was also fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000, £129,000) for fielding the player, who had previously taken part in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualifying campaigns without incident.

The second – and ultimately successful – bid to change Nsue’s allegiance was launched shortly after his six-month ban ended, while a Feguifut appeal last year resulted in the fine being reduced to 50,000 Swiss francs, with the remaining 100,000 suspended for two years.

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“I am overjoyed to be able to be back with my national team and to compete for the flag and people of Equatorial Guinea,” Nsue told BBC Sport Africa.

“Now it is time to focus on our upcoming qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup, and hopefully we can make every Equatoguinean proud of us.”

-BBC

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Rwanda newspaper psyches up new coach, Amrouche ahead of World Cup qualifier with Nigeria

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Adel Amrouche as Tanzania's head coach reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2024 group F football match between Morocco and Tanzania at Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro on January 17, 2024. (Photo by SIA KAMBOU / AFP) (Photo by SIA KAMBOU/AFP via Getty Images)

Leading Rwandan newspaper, The New Times has enumerated the challenges and promises that the country’s new coach, Adel Amrouche faces ahead of the impending World Cup qualifying duel with Nigeria in Kigali.

The newspaper writes:

Adel Amrouche, the newly appointed head coach of Rwanda’s national football team, steps into a role laden with both promises and challenges.

Amrouche, 56, brings extensive coaching experience, having previously managed national teams across Africa, including Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana, Kenya, Burundi and Tanzania.

However, his task is far from simple—Rwanda’s national team has long been stuck in mediocrity, with little success on the continental stage.

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Yet, this is also a time of opportunity, as Amrouche is tasked with building a competitive squad to elevate Rwanda’s football status and perhaps make a historical breakthrough in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

His immediate focus will be preparing the Amavubi for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Nigeria (March 17) and Lesotho (March 24) at Amahoro Stadium.

These games are crucial for Rwanda’s qualification hopes and will test Amrouche’s ability to get the best out of a team that, although currently leading its World Cup qualification group, has struggled historically in international competitions.

The Amavubi face a daunting task of overcoming heavyweights like Nigeria and South Africa in their group.

But the 56-year-old, with his vast experience across African football, probably understands the challenges of managing in a high-pressure environment.

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He knows that with little time to implement his tactics before these key matches, he will have to rely on the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Torsten Spittler.

Amrouche’s ability to adapt quickly and build on this platform will be critical. Failure to do that, and he also become a statistic before the end of his two-year contract.

Limited resources and high expectations:

One of the key challenges that Amrouche will face is Rwanda’s limited resources, both on and off the pitch.

Unlike powerhouses such as Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, or even Amrouche’s native Algeria, Rwanda’s football infrastructure and financial backing are not on the same level.

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The team’s budget is modest, and they do not have the luxury of world-class facilities or top-tier club competitions to draw talent from.

However, Amrouche is no stranger to working with limited resources. He has led teams with fewer advantages, particularly during his time coaching in countries like Burundi and Yemen.

In Rwanda, he will need to maximize the potential of the players at his disposal and instill a sense of discipline, resilience, and tactical acumen to overcome these limitations.

He will have to make the most out of Rwanda’s home-grown talents, focusing on their development and playing to their strengths.

Rwanda’s limited success on the continental level, including their near-miss at qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also adds pressure on the Algiers-born former midfielder.

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The team’s only “major” trophy to date, if you may like, was the 1999 CECAFA Senior Challenge, and they have qualified for the AFCON only once in 2004.

This long history of underachievement makes Amrouche’s task even more daunting.

He must not only push the team to compete at a higher level but also instill a sense of belief and unity within a squad that has often faltered in crucial moments.

Political and mental challenge:

Another challenge for Amrouche will be navigating the political and managerial instability within

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Rwanda’s football system.

The country has witnessed one of the highest turnover rates of coaches in African football, with a staggering 24 different coaches in the last three decades.

This high turnover rate is indicative of the impatience that plagues Rwandan football and adds to the pressure on the incoming coach to deliver results quickly. Amrouche must therefore tread carefully. He must hit the ground running.

While he has the technical expertise, he must manage expectations within a football culture where stability is often lacking. Appetite for quick-fix is Amavubi’s Achilles’ heel.

His previous experience with the national teams of Libya, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and Tanzania shows that he understands how to manage under pressure, but in Rwanda, his ability to foster long-term success will be tested.

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In the same breath, FERWAFA must also provide him with the necessary backing to ensure he has the tools to succeed, especially when it comes to the development of players and infrastructure.

Patience is the path to success:

For Amrouche, the long-term goal is clear—he must qualify Rwanda for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and help the Amavubi reach new heights in African football.

To achieve this, he will need to prioritize the development of a strong team chemistry, tactical discipline, and mental fortitude.

His role is not just about game strategies but also about fostering a culture of professionalism and unity within the squad. Spittler succeeded in this areas, and so his successor must.

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One of Amrouche’s key strengths will be his ability to scout talent and give younger players a chance to shine. Rwanda has a growing pool of young talent, and Amrouche must build a team that blends experience with youthful energy.

If he can successfully identify and nurture talent, he will lay the foundation for long-term success. Short-term success is needed, and indeed most welcome but the ultimate goal should be on the future.

Amrouche’s appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Rwanda’s national team. His success will depend on how he navigates the challenges of limited resources, Rwandan football political instability, and high expectations.

If he can strike the right balance and foster a sense of unity within the team, and be able to build on the foundation left by Spittler, Amrouche may finally deliver the success that Rwandan football fans have long yearned for.

It’s possible but only time will tell.

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