The Gambia sets sights on 2026 World Cup qualification

Gambia's Scorpions are inspiring a generation of young Gambians | Photo Credit: Courtesy

FOOTBALL The Gambia sets sights on 2026 World Cup qualification

Shafic Kiyaga 18:44 - 01.04.2023

The GFF President, Lamin Kaba Bajo, revealed that the team's next target is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as well as the subsequent AFCON.

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has set its sights on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, following the country's debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last year.

The GFF President, Lamin Kaba Bajo, revealed that the team's next target is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, as well as the subsequent AFCON.

Despite being the lowest-ranked team ever to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, The Gambia managed to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament, where they lost to the hosts Cameroon.

Earlier this month, The Gambia impressed at the Under-20 Afcon in Egypt, reaching the final where they lost 2-0 to Senegal.

The GFF believes that this achievement is a testament to the country's footballing potential and a sign of good things to come.

"Our next target is a subsequent AFCON and also the 2026 World Cup, that's definitely what we are working towards," Bajo told BBC Sport Africa.

"We also have a talent development scheme that we launched, and we are putting more effort in ensuring implementation of the strategy," he said.

The Gambia has a strong football league, which extends to the provinces, and highly competitive school football, where coaches recruit talents.

The GFF has also launched a talent development scheme and is putting more effort into ensuring the implementation of the strategy.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and will feature 48 teams for the first time, with Africa assured of nine berths.

This development has boosted The Gambia's hopes of qualification, as they aim to secure their place at the global football showpiece for the first time in their history.

To reach next year's Nations Cup in Ivory Coast, The Gambia needs to finish above Congo-Brazzaville and South Sudan in Group G, a group which Mali is the firm favourite to top.