Hountondji: The calm leader behind Benin’s fearless 2026 World Cup charge

Benin have always been football’s quiet dreamers — passionate, proud, and perennially on the cusp of something big. But now, with two matches left in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, the small West African nation stands on the brink of a once-unthinkable reality.

At the centre of it all is Andreas Hountondji, a 23-year-old striker whose goals, leadership, and belief have transformed the Cheetahs from hopefuls into genuine contenders for a place among the world’s elite.

“I honestly can’t wait,” he said with a grin, speaking about the decisive qualifiers against Rwanda and Nigeria. “To be honest, I don’t know if it’s fully dawned on me yet how close we are to actually qualifying.”

A nation’s biggest moment

For Benin, these two matches are more than just fixtures — they are a national test of belief. The Cheetahs sit top of Group C, ahead of regional powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria, both multiple-time World Cup participants.

“Our next match, against Rwanda, is going to be pivotal,” Hountondji said. “If we manage to pick up the three points, we’ll be very handily placed ahead of our final game, against Nigeria.”

Their rise has been helped by a recent FIFA ruling that docked points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, but Benin’s position is no fluke. Under German coach Gernot Rohr, the team has found a blend of tactical discipline and youthful expression, with Hountondji as the perfect embodiment of both.

“I saw the announcement, and I think we’d be mad not to see this as a real opportunity,” he said. “We have two matches to go, and if we win them both, there’s a good chance we’ll qualify directly. Our destiny is in our own hands, so we have to believe in our chances.”

From Europe’s big stage to Africa’s calling

Born in France and shaped by European football, Hountondji’s story mirrors that of a growing generation of African players reconnecting with their roots. After emerging at Caen, he earned a move to Burnley, and now stars in Germany’s Bundesliga with St. Pauli, where he has made an immediate impact.

“Playing in one of the five big European leagues is a new step for me in my young career,” he said. “Along with the Premier League, the Bundesliga is the competition that suits me best in terms of my attributes and how I play the game.”

But despite his European pedigree, his heart beats for Benin. When Rohr convinced him to join the national team setup in 2023, Hountondji admits he hesitated — not because of doubt, but out of respect.

“I could have joined up with the national team earlier, but representing your country is a huge responsibility,” he explained. “My entourage and I wondered whether I was ready for that sort of pressure at such a young age.”

That hesitation vanished quickly. Since making his debut, he has become one of Benin’s most reliable performers — scoring three goals in eight qualifiers and helping the team reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“Playing for the national team is a really special adventure and one that’s so rewarding on a human level,” he said. “This is our country, so it means so much to us.”

The making of a new generation

Benin’s football renaissance has come with resilience. From years of being written off as outsiders, they now stand shoulder to shoulder with the continent’s best. Their success, Hountondji says, is built on unity and belief.

“Honestly, I have so much love for this group of boys that just finding ourselves in this position now as the qualifiers are coming to an end is amazing,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing just how pumped and hungry we’ll be. We’ve got the chance to create great excitement and some incredible memories. I think we’re capable of getting the job done – anything is possible.”

That spirit has been felt back home, where fans have packed viewing centres and gatherings across Cotonou and Parakou, daring to dream of hearing Benin’s anthem at a World Cup for the first time.

“For any player starting out in the game, lining up at the World Cup is the ultimate dream,” Hountondji said. “One thing for sure is that when we come together as a squad and start to realise just how close we are to achieving it, it’s really going to put stars in our eyes. I hope that’ll give us the added motivation to get over the line.”

A dream within reach

As the clock ticks down to their decisive fixtures, Hountondji knows what is at stake — not just for himself, but for an entire generation of Beninese footballers and fans.

Benin have never reached the World Cup before. But now, powered by the energy of a young team and the quiet leadership of a striker who dared to believe, the impossible suddenly feels within reach.

And if the Cheetahs make history, Andreas Hountondji’s name will forever be remembered as the man who helped a nation find its roar.