Chad rely on home-based players for Ghana, Comoros World Cup qualifiers

Chad has unveiled its 25-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with an overwhelming presence from local club AS PS, which contributes 14 players to the national team. 

Coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia has largely relied on domestic-based players, with only two foreign-based players making the list.

Chad, currently bottom of Group I with zero points, faces a tough challenge as they prepare to take on Ghana in Accra on March 21, followed by a match against Comoros in Morocco on March 26.

The squad's heavy domestic composition highlights the coach’s commitment to developing homegrown talent, despite the nation’s struggles on the international stage.

Unlike most African teams that lean on their European-based stars, Chad’s squad is almost entirely composed of home-based players.

The only two players playing abroad are goalkeeper Mbaynaïssem Jourdain (CSK Dushanbe, Tajikistan) and midfielder Mahamat Thiam Maintah (CO Castuera, Spain).

Their experience will be vital as the team looks to earn its first points in the qualifiers.

Chad enters these matches as underdogs, especially against a star-studded Ghanaian side playing at home in Accra.

The Comoros fixture in Morocco also presents a tough challenge, given the island nation's recent rise in African football.

Coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia will hope that the chemistry among the many AS PS players in the squad can help Chad mount a competitive challenge.

Despite slim qualification hopes, the matches offer a crucial platform for Chad's local talents to gain international exposure.

Squad

Goalkeepers:

• Adaossou Mathieu (Renaissance – Chad)
• Abramanne Ekiang (AS PS – Chad)
• Mbaynaïssem Jourdain (CSK Dushanbe – Tajikistan)

Defenders:

• Ahmat Abderamane (Galons FC – Chad)
• Abdoulaye Mahamat (AS PS – Chad)
• Daba Gabkala (AS PS – Chad)
• Noubara Felix (AS PS – Chad)
• Noël Allaramadji (AS PS – Chad)
• Haroun Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Djimothoum Moral (TP Elect Sport – Chad)

Midfielders:

• Mahamat Thiam Maintah (CO Castuera – Spain)
• Allarabaye Yves (AS PS – Chad)
• Merba Benjamin (Foullah Edifice – Chad)
• Mahamat Djibrine (AS PS – Chad)
• Djodje A. Yves (AS PS – Chad)
• Djodje J. Lingar (AS PS – Chad)
• Youssouf Abderamane (Gazelle FC – Chad)
• Mahamat Adam (Gazelle FC – Chad)

Forwards:

• Masra Yannick (Galons FC Ndjamena – Chad)
• Mahamat Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Ali Mahamat Adam (AS PS – Chad)
• Mahamat Abakar (AS PS – Chad)
• Gouda B. Azaz (AS PS – Chad)
• Abakar Goukoui (TP Elect Sport – Chad)