Tom Saintfiet is determined to “write history” with Mali as he looks to revive their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Eagles, who have never qualified for the tournament, currently sit fourth in Group I, trailing leaders Comoros and second-placed Ghana by four points after four rounds of the 10-match qualifying campaign.
With only the group winners securing an automatic spot at the World Cup, Saintfiet, who took charge last August, sees an opportunity to turn things around. Mali will face Comoros in Moroni on 20 March, followed by an away clash against the Central African Republic, now coached by Cameroon legend Rigobert Song, four days later.
“My dream and ambition as a coach is always to go to the World Cup,” the 51-year-old Belgian said. “We are really not in a good position right now, but I still think we can do it.
“We are going to try to win all six games and see where that takes us.”
Mali came agonizingly close to qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, falling to Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in the play-offs. That was the only goal they conceded in an otherwise solid eight-game campaign.
Since replacing Eric Chelle, Saintfiet has led Mali to an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be held in Morocco in December. Mali comfortably topped their group ahead of Mozambique, dropping just four points in six matches.
“When I arrived, the atmosphere was not great because the World Cup qualifiers had been a bit [messed] up,” Saintfiet admitted. “That’s not what Mali was looking for. So I had to change fortunes very quickly.
“But after six matches with four wins and two draws, I believe we are on the right track.”
Mali was seconds away from reaching the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON before hosts Ivory Coast staged a dramatic comeback, forcing extra time and eventually eliminating them.
Saintfiet has a squad brimming with talent, including Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma, RB Salzburg winger Nene Dorgeles—who was Mali’s top scorer in AFCON qualifying with three goals—and Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko.
“It’s a big luxury to have so many quality players,” said Saintfiet, who famously led The Gambia to the quarter-finals of AFCON 2022 in their debut appearance. “I have so many choices for every position, so many alternatives.
“It’s not just about selecting the best players, but selecting the best team. That is the challenge now. “We are going to give everything in the next six qualifiers—two at home, four away—to make history.”
Following this month’s matches, the final four group fixtures will be played across September and October. If Mali fails to top the group, they could still have a chance to qualify through the play-offs, as the four best-ranked second-placed teams from the 10 groups will enter a knockout round. The winner of that round will then compete in an intercontinental play-off for a final World Cup spot.
