Madagascar national football team

The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea after the island's zebu,[2] is the national team of Madagascar and is controlled by the Malagasy Football Federation. It has never qualified for the finals of the World Cup. It took part in its first Africa Cup of Nations in 2019. Among its biggest wins was a 1–0 home victory over Egypt in the qualification rounds of the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations until being surpassed by a recent 2–0 win over Nigeria in the group stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Reflecting the official name of the country at the time, the team was known as the Malagasy Republic national football team between 1958 and 1975.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Madagascar women's national football team.

Madagascar
Nickname(s)Barea
AssociationFédération Malagasy de Football
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coachRomuald Rakotondrabe
CaptainIbrahim Amada
Most capsPaulin Voavy (67)
Top scorerPaulin Voavy (15)
Home stadiumMahamasina Stadium
Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA codeMAD
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 104 5 (20 June 2024)[1]
Highest74 (December 1992)
Lowest190 (March 2014)
First international
Madagascar 1–2 Mauritius 
(Madagascar; Date Unknown 1947)
Biggest win
 Madagascar 8–1 Congo 
(Antananarivo, Madagascar; 19 April 1960)
Biggest defeat
 Mauritius 7–0 Madagascar
(Réunion; 31 July 1952)
 Congo-Léopoldville 7–0 Madagascar 
(Congo; 18 July 1965)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances1 (first in 2019)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2019)
African Nations Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2022)
Best resultThird place (2022)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances11 (first in 2002)
Best resultThird place (2015)
Medal record
African Nations Championship
2022 Algeria
COSAFA Cup
2015 South Africa

History

Madagascar made its debut in 1947 in a home match against Mauritius which was lost 2–1. The game was part of a Triangulaire tournament between Madagascar, Mauritius and Reunion. Madagascar's second match was at home to Reunion and saw their first ever win, 4–2. The triangular tournament was staged every year until 1958, and Madagascar's highest-scoring game was on 13 July 1953 when they beat Reunion 6–4 at home. Their worst loss was on 31 July 1952 when they lost 7–0 to Mauritius in Reunion.

Madagascar played against opposition different from Mauritius or Reunion for the first time in 1960, as part of a tournament between French-speaking nations held on the island. In their first match on 15 April 1960 they beat the Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) 6–1. The second game was a quarter-final against France's amateur side on 17 April and was lost 2–1. On 19 April Madagascar beat the Congo 8–1 in the third-place play-off.

In April 1963, Madagascar entered another competition for French-speaking countries, this time in Senegal, and was placed in a group with Dahomey (now Benin), Liberia and Chad. They opened with a 1–0 win over Dahomey on 11 April, and then beat Chad 2–1 on 13 April and Liberia 3–1 on 15 April. In the semi-finals, Madagascar were beaten 2–1 by Tunisia on 19 April, and then lost 4–1 to France's amateur team in the third-place play-off on 21 April.

In September 1963 the Triangulaire between Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius was reinstated for the first time since 1958. On 15 September they beat Reunion 6–1 at home, and on 18 September drew 1–1 to Mauritius in a home game which was abandoned.[3]

On 16 October 2018, Madagascar qualified to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history, after they won 1–0 against Equatorial Guinea.[4][5] During their debut match against Guinea on 22 June 2019,[6] Anicet Abel scored Madagascar's first-ever AFCON goal and secured their first point of the competition with a 2–2 draw against Guinea.[7][8] The team defeated Burundi in their second match[9] and followed it up with a 2–0 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria to top Group B.[10][11] Then Madagascar advanced to quarter-finals after beating DR Congo in the round of 16.[12] The team's successful performance was coined by pundits as the Iceland of Africa, resembling the shockingly successful debut of Iceland in UEFA Euro 2016.[13] However, Madagascar's dream ended abruptly after suffering a 0–3 defeat at the hand of another former champion, Tunisia.[14]

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023
7 September 2023 AFCON qualification Angola  0–0  Madagascar Lubango, Angola
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Estádio Nacional da Tundavala
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
17 October Friendly Madagascar  2–1  Benin Mohammedia, Morocco
  • Tsiry 22'
  • Razafindrakoto 52'
 Report
Stadium: Stade El Bachir
17 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Ghana  1–0  Madagascar Kumasi, Ghana
16:00 UTC±0
Report Stadium: Baba Yara Stadium
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Samir Guezzaz (Morocco)
20 November 2026 World Cup Qualification Chad  0–3  Madagascar Oujda, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Stade municipal d'Oujda
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Tewodros Mitiku (Ethiopia)

2024
22 March International Friendly Tournament Madagascar  1–0  Burundi Antananarivo, Madagascar
13:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
25 March International Friendly Tournament Madagascar  0–2  Rwanda Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
7 June 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  2–1  Comoros Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)
11 June 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  0–0  Mali Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)

2025
March 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  v  Madagascar
March 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  v  Ghana
September 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  v  Central African Republic
September 2026 World Cup Qualification Madagascar  v  Chad
October 2026 World Cup Qualification Comoros  v  Madagascar
October 2026 World Cup Qualification Mali  v  Madagascar

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Comoros and Mali on 7 and 10 June 2024.

Caps and goals updated after the match against  Mali on 10 June 2024.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Téva Gardies (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 1 0 Paris
16 1GK Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola (1999-10-14) 14 October 1999 18 0 ASSM Elgeco Plus
23 1GK Sonny Laiton (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 3 0 Auxerre
3 2DF Titouan Fortun (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 5 0 Nantes (res)
12 2DF Thierno Millimono (2002-08-16) 16 August 2002 1 0 union sportive mondorf les bains
2DF Fabien Boyer (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 6 0 Saint-Pierroise
20 2DF Louis Démoléon (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 5 0 Budoni
25 2DF Nomena Andriatiana (2000-02-06) 6 February 2000 0 0 Aubagne FC
21 2DF Thomas Fontaine (1991-05-08) 8 May 1991 29 1 Sochaux
2DF Romain Métanire (1990-03-28) 28 March 1990 27 0 Spokane Velocity
12 2DF Radoniaina Rabemanantsoa (1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 7 0 AS Fanalamanga
18 2DF Sandro Trémoulet (1999-11-18) 18 November 1999 0 0 Seraing
6 3MF Ando Manoelantsoa (1991-04-06) 6 April 1991 16 0 Saint-Pierroise
7 3MF Rayan Raveloson (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 32 6 Auxerre
14 3MF Clément Couturier (1993-09-13) 13 September 1993 3 0 Swift Hesperange
15 3MF Ibrahim Amada (captain) (1990-02-28) 28 February 1990 41 3 Ratchaburi
5 3MF Rojo Andriamanjato (1992-08-11) 11 August 1992 25 1 Saint-Pauloise
17 3MF Andy Rakotondrajoa (2003-07-24) 24 July 2003 6 0 Disciples
2 4FW Carolus Andriamahitsinoro (1989-07-06) 6 July 1989 45 11 Al-Kawkab
10 4FW Loïc Lapoussin (1996-03-27) 27 March 1996 19 1 Union SG
8 4FW Arnaud Randrianantenaina (2001-01-03) 3 January 2001 10 2 El Gouna
11 4FW Angelo Andrianantenaina (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 1 0 AS Excelsior
13 4FW Tsiry Randriatsiferana (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 26 6 Saint-Pauloise
9 4FW Hakim Abdallah (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 14 1 Dinamo București
19 4FW Tendry Randrianarijaona (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 21 4 Disciples
4FW Julien Pontgerard (1997-05-04) 4 May 1997 0 0 AS Brestois

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for Madagascar in the last year.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Allan Rakotovazaha (1999-10-03) 3 October 1999 0 0 US Créteil (res) v.  Chad, 20 November 2023
GK Melvin Adrien (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 27 0 Thonon Evian v.  Chad, 20 November 2023
GK Mathyas Randriamamy (2003-04-23) 23 April 2003 2 0 Ermis Aradippou v.  Ghana, 17 November 2023
DF Tantely Randrianiaina (1989-02-13) 13 February 1989 36 0 Disciples v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
DF Kenji-Van Boto (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 9 0 Pau v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
DF Tantely Rabarijaona (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 19 0 CFFA v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
DF Soloniaina Rajo Nirina Razafindraibeharimihanta (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 26 0 Saint-Denis v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
DF Datsiry Rakotonirina (1991-06-01) 1 June 1991 13 0 ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Théodin Ramanjary (1996-08-16) 16 August 1996 9 0 Sainte-Suzanne v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Andriniaina Amourson (2000-01-06) 6 January 2000 0 0 Fosa Juniors v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
DF Robin Busset (2000-02-25) 25 February 2000 0 0 Nyon v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
MF Marco Ilaimaharitra (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 25 3 Charleroi v.  Chad, 20 November 2023
MF Dorian Bertrand (1993-05-21) 21 May 1993 8 0 Argeș Pitești v.  Chad, 20 November 2023
MF Lalaïna Rafanomezantsoa (1998-03-10) 10 March 1998 19 1 CFFA v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
MF Pierre-Michael Rakotoarisoa (1996-03-27) 27 March 1996 7 0 Fosa Juniors v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
MF Baggio Rakotoharisoa (1996-01-24) 24 January 1996 21 0 Jeanne d'Arc v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
FW Njiva Rakotoharimalala (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 50 14 Ratchaburi v.  Chad, 20 November 2023
FW El Hadari Raheriniaina (2006-08-19) 19 August 2006 8 2 St Michel United v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
FW Jean-Yves Razafindrakoto (1997-08-16) 16 August 1997 12 3 ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Burundi, 22 March 2024
  • DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up.
  • INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
  • PRE Preliminary squad.
  • RET Player has retired from international football.
  • SUS Suspended from the national team.

Records
As of 11 June 2024[18]
Players in bold are still active with Madagascar.

Most appearances
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Paulin Voavy67152007–present
2Mamisoa Razafindrakoto6301998–2011
3Gervais Randrianarisoa5202005–2022
4Njiva Rakotoharimalala50142014–present
5Jimmy Radafison4902000–2011
6Faneva Imà Andriatsima47142003–2019
Lalaina Nomenjanahary4752006–2021
Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe4701999–2011
Carolus Andriamatsinoro47112009–present
10Ibrahim Amada4232008–present

Top goalscorers
Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Paulin Voavy15670.222007–present
2Faneva Imà Andriatsima14470.32005–2019
Njiva Rakotoharimalala14500.282014–present
4Harry Randrianaivo11210.521990–2003
Carolus Andriamatsinoro11470.232009–present
6Ruphin Menakely10250.41998–2003
7Sarivahy Vombola8300.272011–2017
Rado Rasoanaivo8400.21992–2003
9Tsiry Randriatsiferana6270.222022–present
Rayan Raveloson6330.182019–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup Qualification
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA GR
1930 to 1958 Part of  France Part of  France
as  Malagasy Republic as  Malagasy Republic
1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1966 and 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
1974 Withdrew Withdrew
as  Madagascar as  Madagascar
1978 Did not enter Did not enter
1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
1986 2 1 0 1 1 1 details
1990 Did not enter Did not enter
1994 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 7 3 details
1998 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
2002 10 3 0 7 7 16 details
2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
2014 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
2018 4 1 2 1 7 7 details
2022 6 1 1 4 4 9 details
2026 To be determined 4 2 1 1 5 2 details
2030 To be determined details
2034 details
Total–0/15–––––– 461510215162–

Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA GR
1957Part of  FrancePart of  France
1959
1962Not affiliated to CAFNot affiliated to CAF
1963
1965 Did not enter Did not enter
1968
1970
1972 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 5 details
1974 2 1 0 1 3 4 details
1976 Withdrew Withdrew
1978 Did not enter Did not enter
1980 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 6 details
1982 4 2 1 1 4 7 details
1984 4 1 1 2 3 4 details
1986 2 0 0 2 2 6 details
1988 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
1990 Withdrew Withdrew
1992 Did not qualify 5 2 2 1 3 2 details
1994 Did not enter Did not enter
1996 Withdrew during qualifiers Withdrew during qualifiers
1998 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996
2000 Did not qualify 8 2 3 3 9 12 details
2002 8 2 2 4 7 8 details
2004 4 2 0 2 2 8 details
2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
2008 4 0 0 4 0 14 details
2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
2012 6 0 1 5 4 14 details
2013 2 0 0 2 1 7 details
2015 2 1 0 1 2 2 details
2017 6 0 3 3 5 12 details
2019 Quarter-finals6th522177 8 5 1 2 12 10 details
2021 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 9 details
2023 6 0 3 3 1 9 details
2025 To be determined To be determined
2027
TotalQuarter-finals1/36522177 9326234490155–

African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship record Africa Nations Championship qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA GR
2009 Did not enter Did not enter
2011 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 0 2 details
2014 Did not enter Did not enter
2016
2018 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 6 3 details
2020 4 2 0 2 4 5 details
2022 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 9 3 4 3 1 0 6 1 details
TotalThird place1/7540193 169341611–

African Games
African Games record African Games qualification record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA GR
19658th3003013210163details
1973WithdrewWithdrew
1978
19876th310245210133details
1991 - 2015U-23 TournamentU-23 Tournament
2019 - PresentU-20 TournamentU-20 Tournament
Total2/46105418420296

Indian Ocean Island Games
Indian Ocean Island Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1979 Did not enter
1985 Fourth place 4th 2 1 0 1 2 3
1990 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 12 1
1993 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 10 2
1998 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 1 0 10 3
2003 Group stage 5th 2 0 1 1 2 4
2007 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 7 0
2011 Group stage 7th 2 0 1 1 2 3
2015 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 6 8
2019 Group stage 5th 2 0 2 0 2 2
2023 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 7 3
Total 3 Titles 10/11 33 17 10 6 60 29

COSAFA Cup
COSAFA Cup
YearRoundResultMWDLGFGA
2000 Excluded
2001
2002 Quarter-finals 5th 2 1 1 0 3 2
2003 Quarter-finals 7th 2 1 0 1 2 3
2004 Round 1 11th 1 0 0 1 0 2
2005 Round 1 10th 1 0 0 1 0 2
2006 Round 1 13th 2 0 0 2 0 4
2007 Round 1 8th 2 1 0 1 5 1
2008 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 6 7
2009 Did not enter
2013
2015 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 11 7
2016 Group stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 1
2017 Group stage 9th 3 2 1 0 6 1
2018 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 4 4
2019 Did not enter
2021 Did not enter
2022 Quarter-finals 5th 2 0 0 2 4 1
2023 Did not enter
Total Third place 12/22 36 14 8 14 42 35

Honours

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  2. Clarel Faniry Rasoanaivo (10 July 2019). "Madagascans elated by AFCON success, eye semi-finals". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  3. Courtney, Barrie. "Madagascar – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  4. "Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Madagascar qualify for the finals". BBC. 16 October 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  5. "Madagascar reaches first African Cup, Egypt also qualifies". The Washington Post. 16 October 2018.
  6. "CAFOnline.com". Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  7. "Business & Financial News, U.S & International Breaking News | Reuters". www.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  8. "Madagascar earn draw in Afcon debut". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. "Afcon 2019: Burundi won't lose hope after Madagascar defeat, says coach Olivier Niyungeko | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. "Madagascar Stun Nigeria, 2-0, As Debutantes Win AFCON Group B". beIN SPORTS USA. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  11. "Africa Cup of Nations 2019: The surprise package from Madagascar". Deutsche Welle. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  12. "Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Madagascar stun DR Congo, Algeria ease through". Deutsche Welle. 7 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. Sharuko, Robson (10 July 2019). "Africa: Madagascar's French Armada Reminds Warriors of the British Brigade We Missed". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  14. "Madagascar 0-3 Tunisia: As it happened". 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  15. FIFA.com
  16. FIFA.com
  17. FIFA.com
  18. Mamrud, Roberto. "Madagascar - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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