Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) has agreed to extend the contract of head coach Corentin Martins. The French coach had been out of contract since late January 2026, as talks were ongoing to extend his stay with the Barea.

🔴Sauf changement, Corentin Martins devrait signer un nouveau contrat en tant que sélectionneur des Barea.
🔗Pour lire l’article : https://t.co/srS28TKJne pic.twitter.com/ngwvY7DRkd

— 2424.mg (@2424_mg) February 19, 2026

According to local outlet 2424.mg, Martins and the federation are on good terms as their partnership continues for another term. Martins, 56, reportedly flew into Antananarivo to finalize his stay. Since his appointment as head coach, Martins has won four matches in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying and narrowly missed out on a playoff spot at the conclusion of the campaign.

Martins’s stay in Madagascar was in doubt after he applied for the Tunisia national team head coaching job last month. Nonetheless, the country’s government and the FMF have shown strong interest in continuing with the French coach, which is believed to be the catalyst for his stay in the island nation.

Martins is a well-experienced coach in Africa, following his long tenure with Mauritania. The former attacking midfielder also led Libya between 2022 and 2023. His main responsibility will be to ensure the national team’s qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Martins helped Mauritania qualify for the continent’s biggest tournament back-to-back in 2019 and 2021

Corentin Martins Secures Major Madagascar Contract Extension in 2026

The Malagasy Football Federation (FMF) has officially moved to extend the contract of head coach Corentin Martins, ending weeks of speculation about his future with the Barea of Madagascar.

The 56-year-old French tactician had been out of contract since late January 2026, with negotiations ongoing behind the scenes. However, according to local outlet 2424.mg, both parties have now reached an agreement that ensures continuity on the technical bench.

Martins reportedly flew into Antananarivo to finalize the details of his renewed deal, signaling a clear commitment from both the federation and the Malagasy government to maintain stability within the national team setup.

A Vote of Confidence from FMF

The contract extension reflects a strong vote of confidence in Martins’ leadership.

Since taking charge of the Barea, the experienced coach has overseen steady progress, particularly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Madagascar recorded four victories during the qualifiers and remained competitive until the final stretch, narrowly missing out on a playoff position.

While the team fell short of reaching the intercontinental stage, their performance showed structural improvement, tactical discipline, and renewed belief.

The FMF appears to have prioritized long-term development over short-term disappointment.

Uncertainty After Tunisia Application

Martins’ future in Madagascar appeared uncertain last month when reports emerged that he had applied for the vacant Tunisia national team coaching position.

The move sparked speculation that he could be preparing for a new chapter elsewhere. However, sources suggest that the Malagasy authorities responded swiftly, expressing strong interest in keeping him in charge.

The government’s involvement reportedly played a key role in convincing the coach to remain with the project.

Ultimately, stability prevailed over uncertainty.

Martins’ Strong African Coaching Pedigree

Corentin Martins is no stranger to African football.

He is best known for his successful tenure with Mauritania national football team, where he achieved historic back-to-back qualifications for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and 2021 — a milestone in Mauritanian football history.

His ability to build competitive teams from developing football nations has earned him widespread respect across the continent.

Following his time with Mauritania, Martins also coached the Libya national football team between 2022 and 2023, further expanding his experience in North African football.

His tactical approach emphasizes defensive organization, structured midfield play, and quick transitions — a style that has suited Madagascar’s squad profile.

Focus Shifts to AFCON 2027 Qualification

The primary objective under the renewed contract will be qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 tournament.

Madagascar previously enjoyed a remarkable AFCON debut in 2019, reaching the quarterfinals and capturing continental attention. Recreating that success remains a key ambition for the federation.

Martins’ experience guiding Mauritania to consecutive AFCON appearances makes him a logical choice to lead Madagascar’s next campaign.

With World Cup qualification now out of reach, the focus shifts entirely toward continental competition and long-term squad development.