2026 World Cup Qualifying: South Sudan calls up provisional squad

South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has called up a 31-man provisional squad to face DR Congo and Sudan in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches later this month.

The French coach retained most of the players from previous squads seen in the recently completed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Dupuis has summoned his number one goalie Majak Mawith, center back paring Paul Pal and Ivan Wani and midfielders Joseph Malish and Paul Jawa who starred for the under-20 national team.

Striker David Sebit also was called up, the scorer of the only goal in South Sudan’s 1-2 away loss to Rwanda on December 2024 in African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying. The Bright Stars lost on the away goals rule after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Dupuis omitted Kator FC player Michael Taku from his initial list as fans of the Bright Starts opposed the decision taken. The national side is largely comprised of players from the local league with a few based abroad in Libya, Kenya, Uganda and France.

South Sudan tackles DR Congo in Kinshasa on March 19 then will head to Libya to face Sudan in a derby match, where the Bright Stars will look to spoil the campaign for their rivals and group leaders. The Bright Stars are fifth in a brutally competitive Group B with two points from four games.

2026 World Cup Qualifying: Group B table through four matches