Burundi and Ivory Coast are back in action in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they go head to head at the Stade d'Honneur on Friday.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides currently separated by just three points in the standings since November 2024, when the Elephants ran riot in a 4-0 friendly victory.
Match preview
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Following a turbulent end to 2024, Burundi will aim to turn their fortunes around when they return to action in the World Cup qualifying race on Friday as they look to secure a first-ever appearance.
Les Hirondelles wrapped up their schedule for 2024 with consecutive defeats at the hands of Uganda in their 2025 African Nations Championship qualifying double header in December.
Burundi suffered a 1-0 loss against the Cranes at the Hamz Stadium on Boxing Day, three days before losing by the same scoreline courtesy of a 91st-minute winner from 24-year-old forward Hakim Kiwanuka.
This was in keeping with their underwhelming display in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, where they kicked off their campaign with a 3-2 win over Malawi in September 2024 before picking up just one point from their subsequent five matches in Group L to finish rock-bottom in the table.
Patrick Sangwa's men now turn their focus to the World Cup qualifiers where they have shown much promise, picking up two wins and one draw from their four matches in Group F — their only defeat came in November 2023 when they were beaten 2-1 by Gabon at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.
Burundi, who are currently on a seven-game winless run, have picked up seven points from a possible 12 to sit third in the group standings, two points adrift of second-placed Gabon in the qualifying playoff spot and three behind Friday's visitors.
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As for Ivory Coast, they return to action in the qualifiers as one of just nine unbeaten sides in the campaign, having picked up three wins and one draw while scoring 12 goals and keeping four clean sheets so far.
Having steamrolled Seychelles 9-0 in the Group F curtain-raiser back in November 2023, the Elephants edged out Gambia 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium before picking up a narrow 1-0 victory over Gabon last June thanks to a first-half strike from experienced midfielder Seko Fofana.
However, Ivory Coast's 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers came to an end three days later as they were held to a somewhat disappointing goalless draw by a dogged Kenya side when the two nations squared off at the Bingu National Stadium.
Emerse Fae's men head into Friday's clash m off the back of a penalty-shootout defeat against Burkina Faso in the 2025 CHAN playoff on December 28, when Les Etalons secured a 2-0 victory to overturn a first-leg deficit and force penalties.
Ivory Coast will be backing themselves to kick off their schedule for 2025 on a high and edge closer to a fourth World Cup appearance as they take on an opposing side who lost each of their previous two meetings between the two nations since their first encounter in March 2003.
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Team News
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Burundi have called up 25 players for their upcoming games against Ivory Coast and Seychelles, with head coach Sangwa recalling several experienced players to the national team setup.
Norwegian-based midfielder Patrick Bizoza has been included in the team for the first time in the last five years while Beerschot midfielder Marco Weymans is set to feature for Les Hirondelles for the first time since 2023.
The biggest news for Ivory Coast is the return of striker Sebastian Haller, who missed each of the last three international windows due to injury, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin makes the cut for the first time since March 2023.
Manchester United's Amad Diallo misses out due to injury while Maxwel Cornet, who has picked up two goals and one assist in six games for Genoa since his West Ham United switch has been overlooked by Fae.
The 41-year-old has included familiar faces in his 25-man squad, including Villareal's Nicolas Pepe, Brighton and Hove Albion's Simon Adingra and 28-year-old Franck Kessie.
There is also a new face in the Elephants' squad as AJ Auxerre defender Clement Akpa has earned his first-ever senior call-up, having represented the nation at Under-23 level.
Burundi possible starting lineup:
Nkurunziza; Weymans, Ndayishimye, Nsabiyumva, Nduwarugira; Liongola, Msanga, Bigirimana, Bizoza; Niyongabire, Mvuka
Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Doue, Diomande, Ndicka, Singo; Sangare, Kessie; Adingra, Aholou, Pepe; Haller
We say: Burundi 0-3 Ivory Coast
While Ivory Coast remains their biggest challenge in the qualifiers, Burundi can take pride in their performance so far as they could climb to the top of the table this weekend. However, given the gulf in quality and depth between the two teams, we are backing the Elephants to come away with all three points unscathed.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
