Freetown, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone’s national football team, the Leone Stars, have named a 25-man squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 African qualifiers, as the country continues its quest for a historic first-ever appearance at the world’s biggest football tournament.
Head Coach Mohamed Kallon, a national football legend, has called up a balanced mix of foreign-based professionals and homegrown talent for the double-header against Burkina Faso and Djibouti.
Key Fixtures Ahead
* Sierra Leone vs Burkina Faso – 8 October 2025, Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Monrovia, Liberia.
* Djibouti vs Sierra Leone – 12 October 2025, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, Morocco.
The decision to play on neutral grounds comes as Sierra Leone continues to work on upgrading its stadiums to meet international standards.
Squad Breakdown
The forward line is led by the experienced Kei Kamara (FC Cincinnati), one of the country’s most prolific strikers, alongside Mohamed Buya Turay (Zhetysu FC) and Augustus Kargbo (Blackburn Rovers). They will be joined by MLS-based Momoh Kamara (Minnesota United) and the promising Mohamed Bangura (Bhantal FC).
In midfield, creative spark Alhassan Koroma (Al Shahaniya SC) and the versatile Abu Dumbuya (Zabbar St. Patrick FC) are expected to control the tempo. Home talents like Mohamed Kabba (Bo Rangers FC) and John B. Sesay (Bhantal FC) add local flair and grit.
Defensively, Abdulai Juma Bah (OGC Nice), Emmanuel Samadia (Hartford FC), and Alpha Turay (El Gouna) bring international exposure, while Nathaniel Jalloh and Sallieu Tarawallie of FC Kallon add youthful energy.
The goalkeeping department will be shared between Alhaji Sesay (Bhantal FC), Francis Koroma (Wilberforce Strikers), and Donald Kamara (FC Kallon).
The World Cup Dream
Sierra Leone has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup, but the Leone Stars are determined to change that narrative. Their last major tournament appearance came at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, where they famously held both Algeria and Ivory Coast to draws – a performance that reignited belief in the team’s potential.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first to feature 48 teams, giving African nations nine direct slots instead of the previous five. This expansion has boosted Sierra Leone’s hopes of making history.
Tough Road Ahead
However, qualification will not be easy. Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone’s next opponent, is an established African powerhouse with consistent AFCON performances, while Djibouti, despite being considered underdogs, have proven resilient in recent fixtures.
Coach Mohamed Kallon has stressed discipline, tactical flexibility, and unity as key to overcoming these challenges:
“We have a group of players capable of competing at the highest level. What we need now is focus, teamwork, and belief,” he said while unveiling the squad.
Fans’ Expectations
Leone Stars fans remain optimistic but realistic. Many see the Burkina Faso clash as the true test of Sierra Leone’s World Cup credentials. A strong result there could set the tone for the rest of the qualifiers.
With a combination of experience, youthful energy, and the leadership of one of Sierra Leone’s greatest football icons at the helm, the Leone Stars head into October’s fixtures with renewed determination to bring the World Cup dream closer to reality.
