Djibouti part ways with head coach Stéphane Nado

The Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) has confirmed that the technical staff of the national team, led by Stéphane Nado, has resigned.

The Horn of Africa nation failed to perform well in the FIFA Arab Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup African Qualifier matches, after which the technical staff submitted their resignation, and the FDF agreed to part ways.

Nado, 53, was appointed head coach of Djibouti in June 2025. The French coach was tasked with leading the team through the World Cup qualifiers and the Arab Cup preliminary round match against Bahrain.

The results proved unsatisfactory, prompting discussions between FDF President Souleiman Hassan Waberi and the technical staff on ways to improve the national team. Nado leaves Djibouti after being in charge for five matches, all of which ended in defeat.

Stéphane Nado Steps Down As Djibouti Head Coach

The FDF officially stated that it has accepted the resignation and that a new coach will be appointed before the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers kick off in March 2026.

“The Djibouti Football Federation informs the public, the media, and all its partners that the technical staff of the Senior National Team has submitted its resignation, which has been officially transmitted to the Federation.

The staff’s initial commitment aimed primarily to support the national team during the remaining phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as well as in the preparation of the Arab Cup 2025 qualifying match against Bahrain, and to lay the foundations for a medium-term sporting project.”

Djibouti currently ranks 196th in the FIFA World Rankings. The nation has yet to qualify for any major tournament since gaining independence from France.