Cameroon have named a 28-man squad for this week’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers African Play-Offs in Morocco as they bid to keep alive their chances of reaching next year’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Coach Marc Brys has recalled several experienced campaigners as the Indomitable Lions prepare for what could prove a defining week in their quest to secure a place at the expanded 48-team tournament and make what would be a record ninth World Cup appearance for an African nation.
The Central African nation earned their play-off berth after finishing as one of the four best runners-up in the African qualifying phase, joining three other nations in a knockout competition that will determine Africa’s final route to the World Cup.
The four-team play-off sees Cameroon face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Thursday’s semi-final, whilst Gabon take on Nigeria in the other last-four clash. Victory would set up a final three days later, with the winner of that match progressing to the intercontinental play-offs in March.
Cameroon have qualified for the World Cup finals eight times, more than any other African team, with their most memorable campaign coming in 1990 when they became the first African side to reach the quarter-finals.
Those global play-offs will determine the final two qualifiers for the World Cup, offering Cameroon a lifeline despite missing out on automatic qualification from their group.
Brys has opted for continuity in his selection, with midfield duo Yvan Neyou and Jean Onana returning to the fold alongside Wilitty Younoussa in the centre of the park. Defensive reinforcements come in the form of Enzo Boyomo and Darlin Yongwa, both recalled to shore up the backline.
The squad sees three notable omissions, with Brice Ambina, Samuel Kotto and Junior Tchamadeu failing to make the cut for the crucial fixtures.
Beyond the immediate World Cup implications, Brys’ selection offers insights into his thinking ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals, which Morocco will host next month. Cameroon face a challenging group stage alongside Gabon, Mozambique and reigning continental champions Côte d’Ivoire.
The squad features a blend of domestic and European-based talent, with goalkeeper André Onana among the high-profile names included. Forwards Vincent Aboubakar and Eric Maxim Choupo Moting bring vital experience to the attacking options, whilst Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba provides energy in the engine room.
The Cameroon Football Federation confirmed the squad in a statement released ahead of the team’s departure for Morocco.
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Devis Epassy (Dinamo Bucharest, Romania), Simon Omossola (St Eloi Lupopo, DR Congo), André Onana (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
Defenders: Malcolm Bokele (Goztepe, Turkey), Enzo Boyomo (Osasuna, Spain), Jean-Charles Castelletto (Al Duhail, Qatar), Mahamadou Nagida (Stade Rennais, France), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Beijing Guoan, China), Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders, USA), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient, France)
Midfielders: Arthur Avom (Lorient, France), Carlos Baleba (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Martin Hongla (Granada, Spain), Daniel Namaso (AJ Auxerre, France), Yvan Neyou (Getafe, Spain), Jean Onana (Genoa, Italy), Wilitty Younoussa (Rodez, France), Franck Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy)
Forwards: Vincent Aboubakar (Neftchi Baku, Azerbaijan), Christian Bassogog (Al Okhdood, Saudi Arabia), Eric Maxim Choupo Moting (New York RB, USA), Karl Etta Eyong (Levante, Spain), Frank Magri (Toulouse, France), Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United, England), Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Al Diriyah, Saudi Arabia), Patrick Soko (Almeria, Spain)
