The Ethiopian national team has flown to Kigali, Rwanda for its ninth World Cup qualifier against Guinea Bissau.
The one-time AFCON winners are already out of the 2026 World Cup race after eight matches with four losses, three draws and one win.
The team held a one-week local camp in Addis Ababa under head coach Mesay Teferi. Due to budget limits the coach called up only 20 players as he explained in today’s press conference. During preparation key players Abubeker Nura and Yared Kassaye were ruled out with injuries they picked up while representing Ethiopia Medhin in the CAF Champions League. Firew Getahun and Abduselam Yusef joined the squad to replace them.
Coach Mesay said the team tried to prepare well to collect more points and finish in the best position possible even though they have no hope of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Ethiopia will face Guinea Bissau on October 8 at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali since the country still lacks a CAF approved home venue. The Walias will then travel to Ouagadougou for their final group match against Burkina Faso on October 12.
