2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Madagascar name 28-man squad for Ghana and Chad games

Madagascar coach, Rakotondrabe Romuald “Rôrô” has named a 28-man squad for their opening games against Ghana and Chad in Group I of the African qualifiers for the 2026 Fifa World Cup later this month.

The Barea will commence their qualifiers against the Black Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on November 17, 2023, before returning home to host Chad in their second fixture.

The squad announced by coach Roro reflects a blend of players who ply their trade in Europe, demonstrating the team’s growing international presence.

Key players include goalkeeper Adrien Melvin from French side Thonon Evian and defender Romain Antony Metanire of RFC Seraing of Belgium.

Additional European-based players who received invitations include Safidy Titouan Fortun (FC Nantes), Boto Kenji-Van (Pau FC), and the Sporting Charleroi duo of Marco Ilaimaharitra and Adrian Trebel. Rayan Raveloson from AJ Auxerre, and Union Saint Gilloise forward Loïc Lapoussin round out the squad, contributing their prowess to the Barea’s arsenal.

The match in Kumasi will be officiated by Moroccan referee Samir Guezzaz, with compatriots Brinsi Zakaria and Naciri Hamza serving as the first and second assistant referees. El Jaafari Noureddine has been entrusted with the role of the Fourth Official.

Invited players to face Ghana and Chad:
Goalkeepers (3):

• RAKOTOASIMBOLA ZAKANIRINA – ELGECO PLUS
• ADRIEN MELVIN – THONON EVIAN
• RANDRIAMAMY Mathyas Todisoa – ERMIS ARADIPPOU

Defenders (10):

• RABEMANANTSOA Rado Niaina – AS FANALAMANGA
• METANIRE Romain Antony – RFC SERAING
• QUASSIERO Jean sylvio – FC DUDELANGE
• FORTUN Titouan Safidy – FC NANTES
• RABARIJAONA Tantely Avolriniaina – CFFA
• KENJI-Van Boto – PAU FC
• RAZAFINDRABEARIMIANTA Soloniaina Rajo Nirina – ST DENIS FC
• Nomena ANDRIATIANA – AUBAGNE FC
• Thomas FONTAINE – FC SOCHAUX
• DEMOLEON LOUIS – MOLFETTA CALCIO

Midfielders (7):

• ILAIMAHARITRA MARCO – SPORTING CHARLEROI
• Adrien TREBEL – SPORTING CHARLEROI
• RAVELOSON RAYAN NY AINA ARNALDO – AJ AUXERRE
• ANDRIAMANJATO TOKIFANDRESENA ROJOLALAINA – SAINT PAULOISE FC RAFANOMEZANTSOA LALAINA – CFFA
• CLEMENT COUTURIER – SWIFT HESPERANGE
• RAKOTOARISOA Jean Romario Baggio – AS JEANNE D’ARC

Attackers (8):

• RAKOTOMALALA Njiva Tsilavina Martin – RATCHABURI FC
• RANDRIANANTENAINA Arnaud – EL GOUNA
• RANDRIANARIJAONA TENDRY MANOVO MATANIAH – DISCIPLES FC
• RANDRIATSIFERANA TOKINANTENAINA OLIVIER – FOSA JUNIORS
• LAPOUSSIN LOÏC – UNION SAINT GILLOISE
• DORIAN Bertrand – ARGES PITESTI
• caddy WARREN – ANNECY FC
• RAHERINIAINA Ahmad EL Hadary Ylan Clovis – SAINT MICHEL UNITED