Burundi national side coach Patrick Sangwa Mayani announced a 25-man squad to face Ivory Coast and Seychelles in upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The Swallows are third in the Group F and hope to continue their solid form in March.
2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group F table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Ivory Coast | 10 |
Gabon | 9 |
Burundi | 7 |
Kenya | 5 |
Gambia | 3 |
Seychelles | 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.
Mayani summoned a group that features players from foreign leagues as he overlooked the local league. Only defender Kevin Icoyitungiye of Aigle Noir plays his club football in Burundi's top flight Primus Ligue. Players who ply their trade in Rwanda and Tanzania dominate the call up.
Modern Sport FC striker Mohamed Amissi and Al Hilal of Sudan forward Jean Claude Girumugisha are included in the squad. OGC Nice center back Youssouf Ndayishimiye will lead the back line of Burundi.
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana is also involved after a long struggle to find regular club playing time since his release from AmaKhosi. The towering striker joined Algerian giants USM Alger where he scored his first goal on his debut for the club in late February.
Numerous players who last played in the AFCON qualifying match against Senegal in November are also called up. Veteran midfielder Shasiri Nahimana, now at Tanzanian top flight club Pamba Jiji, will mark over eleven years in the national team after the 31-year-old was called up.
Mayani opted not to call former West Brom star Saido Berahino to his roster. The 31-year-old missed out last window due to injury and has only made one seven minute cameo off the bench for Slovak second tier club Tabor Sezana since signing in late February.
Burundi are third in Group F with seven points, three points shy of leaders Ivory Coast.
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