Leone Stars Announce October Fixtures for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Against Burkina Faso and Djibouti

Key October Qualifiers Confirmed

The Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has officially announced the schedule for the Leone Stars' upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in October. The national team, known as the Leone Stars, is set to play two crucial fixtures against Burkina Faso and Djibouti as part of their campaign in CAF Group A.

The first match will see Sierra Leone host Burkina Faso on October 8, 2025. This home fixture will take place at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia. Following this, the Leone Stars will travel for an away game against Djibouti on October 12, 2025. This encounter is scheduled to be held at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

Group A Standings and Context

These matches are vital for Sierra Leone's aspirations in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The Leone Stars are currently positioned third in Group A with 12 points. The group is highly competitive, featuring:

• Egypt (1st with 20 points)
• Burkina Faso (2nd with 15 points)
• Sierra Leone (3rd with 12 points)
• Guinea-Bissau (4th with 10 points)
• Ethiopia (5th with 6 points)
• Djibouti (6th with 1 point)

Djibouti, Sierra Leone's second opponent in October, currently occupies the bottom spot in Group A with just one point. The winner of each CAF qualifying group will secure a direct spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while the runner-up may advance to a second round for a chance at the inter-confederation play-offs.

The Road to 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The African qualification process involves nine groups, with matches taking place across various windows. The upcoming October fixtures represent a critical phase for the Leone Stars as they aim to improve their standing and keep their World Cup dreams alive.