Ethiopia national team names replacements after visa issues hit U.S. trip

Ethiopia national team head coach Mesay Teferi has summoned six players ahead of the team’s exhibition match against MLS side D.C. United. The Waliyas, as they are nicknamed, lost ten players due to visa issues, prompting Teferi to call up replacements before the national team resumed training earlier today.

Libya-based midfielder Canaan Markneh has received his first call-up after being overlooked during the March 2026 FIFA World Cup African zone qualifier matches. Markneh has been performing well in the North African nation. Wolwalo Adigrat University striker Dawa Hotessa has also joined the national team. Hotessa has been a long-time Ethiopian international, though recent call-ups had not favored him.

Saint George duo Amanuel Erbo and Shahid Mustafa, Ethiopian Coffee forward Anteneh Tefera, and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia right back Suleiman Hamid have all joined the national team camp. However, center-back Megnot Debebe and striker Chernet Gugesa were omitted due to passport issues.

In total, ten players left camp after the United States Embassy in Addis Ababa denied their entry visa requests. Eight players were granted visas after intervention by D.C. United’s owners and an unnamed U.S. government official. The newly called up players have already got an existing US entry visa as the Ethiopian Football Federation get their work cut short.

The national team is expected to depart for the American capital, Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, July 29. The match will be held at Audi Field Stadium on Friday, August 2.