Central African Republic vs Mali Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CAF)

by Alex Lawes · March 23 2025, 17:00

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The Central African Republic suffered a humiliation at the hands of Madagascar in their most recent outing as they take on a Mali side that should be pushing for a FIFA World Cup spot.

Kick-off date/time: Monday 24th March, 2025: UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 12:00pm / US PT – 9:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

The only previous international match between these teams was their 1-1 draw in the current World Cup qualifying campaign in November 2023.
Central African Republic have won only three of their previous 21 World Cup qualifying matches (D3 L15).
Mali have lost only two of their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches (W7 D7).
Mali are unbeaten in their last ten World Cup qualifying matches outside of Mali (W6 D4).
Mali have not conceded a goal in their last ten World Cup qualifying matches outside of Mali.
Mali have lost only one of their last ten international matches (W5 D4).
Mali have kept 12 clean sheets in their last 16 World Cup qualifying matches.
Kamory Doumbia has scored five goals in Mali’s previous five World Cup qualifying matches in the current campaign.

Central African Republic vs Mali Prediction

The Central African Republic begin the sixth match day of CAF’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign sitting second-bottom in Group I with just one win in five matches as they take on a Mali side that, disappointingly, are sitting behind all three of Ghana, Madagascar and Comoros.

The Central African Republic have managed one win with one draw and three defeats in their five qualifying matches thus far. They were most recently hammered by the aforementioned Madagascar by four goals to one the other day due to a brace of goals from Rayan Raveloson as well as goals from Arnaud Randrianatenaina and Lalaina, overturning the deficit.

Mali have quite an impressive squad that boasts the likes of Yves Bissouma, Dorgeles Nene and El Bilal Toure but they have underwhelmed with just two victories in their five qualifying matches thus far. The Malians did earn that second win in impressive style the other day, defeating Comoros by three goals to nil at Stade Municipal de Berkane.

The Malians will be expected to hand out further punishment to an already poor and disjointed Central African Republic side, especially with clinic form on the counter-attack.

Central African Republic vs Mali Tip: Mali to win