Mali set to face DR Congo in June friendly

Photo Credit: Malian Football Federation

The Malian Football Federation (FEMAFOOT) has scheduled a friendly match against DR Congo this coming June during the FIFA international window. The Eagles will face the Leopards in France.

The match is set for June 5 at the Stade de la Source, located in the north-central French city of Orléans. The fixture is expected to help both nations prepare ahead of the September FIFA window of the 2026 World Cup African zone qualifiers.

Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet aims to sharpen his squad before the qualifiers resume. His team currently sits fourth in Group I with nine points, and World Cup qualification remains within reach for the West Africans. The friendly may also mark the return of long-serving captain Hamari Traoré. The Real Sociedad right-back has been absent from national team duty for months following a fallout with FEMAFOOT.

DR Congo tops their group with 13 points, with head coach Sébastien Désabre and his players showing strong form in 2025. The Leopards have kept clean sheets in two World Cup qualifying matches this year. Désabre hopes the meeting with Mali will help prepare his side for their crucial clash against Senegal in September.

The most recent match between Mali and DR Congo took place on January 10, 2023, in an international friendly. Mali won that game 1–0.