Preview: Madagascar vs Central African Republic - prediction, team news, lineups

Madagascar will face Central African Republic at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in neutral Morocco on Thursday, as round seven of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers continues.

Barea sit third in Group I with 10 points from six matches — five adrift of leaders Ghana and two behind second-placed Comoros — while their opponents occupy second-bottom with just five points.

Match preview

Madagascar appointed Corentin Martins as head coach in January, and he marked his debut with a commanding 4-1 victory against Thursday’s opponents in the reverse fixture.

However, Barea quickly came back down to earth with a 3-0 defeat to Ghana days later, missing a chance to close in on the group’s frontrunners and denting their hopes of a historic first World Cup appearance.

Although still mathematically in contention, Madagascar face an uphill battle with crucial fixtures against Comoros and Mali still ahead.

Since the loss to Ghana, the Malagasy have remained active, finishing fourth in the COSAFA Cup and reaching the final of the African Nations Championship with their home-based squad, continuing to show their competitive edge.

History is also on their side, as Madagascar have never lost a World Cup qualifier to Central African Republic, winning two and drawing one of their three meetings.

For CAR, qualification looks increasingly unlikely, but the visitors will be eager to halt a run of defeats against Thursday’s hosts, having also fallen to them in the African Nations Championship last month.

Les Fauves have managed just one win in five outings this year — a friendly victory over Mauritania — alongside three draws and their World Cup qualifying loss to Madagascar.

Uncertainty lingers over the head coach role, with Eloge Enza Yamissi still potentially leading the side amid disputes over Rigobert Song’s appointment.

Nevertheless, CAR can take encouragement from improved recent displays, going unbeaten across their last four fixtures with the main team, scoring three goals and conceding just once in that stretch.

Madagascar World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Madagascar form (all competitions):

Central African Republic World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Central African Republic form (all competitions):

Team News

Madagascar have announced a 22-man squad for this month’s qualifiers, blending experience with youth.

Key foreign-based stars include Young Boys midfielder Rayan Raveloson, who netted a brace in the reverse fixture, Clermont Foot defender Andy Pelmard, Valenciennes forward El Hadary Raheriniana, and Lausanne-Ouchy striker Warren Caddy.

For the Central African Republic, defender Chris Mbai-Assem, recently signed by Revolution II, has earned his first senior call-up.

It follows the continued refresh of Les Fauves’ squad, which in March and June saw Geoffrey Kondogbia left out as younger options were tested.

Madagascar possible starting lineup:

Laiton; Morgan, Berajo, Fontaine, Rabemanantsoa; Raveloson, Ilaimaharitra, Couturier; Rakotoharimalala, Caddy, Raheriniaina

Central African Republic possible starting lineup:

Dominique; Peter, Cedric, Stephane, Kenny; Samuel, Noah, Sydney, Benjamin, Arnold; Djimet

We say: Madagascar 3-1 Central African Republic

Madagascar boast a strong record in this fixture and currently have the right mix of foreign and home-based talent hitting form at the same time.

That level of quality should be too much for the Central African Republic to cope with, despite the progress they showed in their June and July friendlies, and just as in March, we expect the Malagasy to come out on top again.

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