Madagascar national football team

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 coachCorentin Martins
CaptainIbrahim Amada
Most capsPaulin Voavy (67)
Top scorerPaulin Voavy (15)
Home stadiumMahamasina Stadium
Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA codeMAD
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 115 1 (3 April 2025)[1]
Highest74 (December 1992)
Lowest190 (March 2014)
First international
Madagascar 1–2 Mauritius 
(Madagascar; Date Unknown 1947)
Biggest win
  8–1 Congo 
(Antananarivo, Madagascar; 19 April 1960)
Biggest defeat
 Mauritius 7–0 Madagascar
(Réunion; 31 July 1952)
 Congo-Léopoldville 7–0  
(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
Appearances12 (first in 2002)
Best resultThird place (2015)
Medal record
African Nations Championship
2022 Algeria
COSAFA Cup
2015 South Africa

The Madagascar national football team, nicknamed Barea after the island's zebu,[3] 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.

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.[4]

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.[5][6] During their debut match against Guinea on 22 June 2019,[7] Anicet Abel scored Madagascar's first-ever AFCON goal and secured their first point of the competition with a 2–2 draw against Guinea.[8][9] The team defeated Burundi in their second match[10] and followed it up with a 2–0 victory over the Super Eagles of Nigeria to top Group B.[11][12] Then Madagascar advanced to quarter-finals after beating DR Congo in the round of 16.[13] 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.[14] However, Madagascar's dream ended abruptly after suffering a 0–3 defeat at the hand of another former champion, Tunisia.[15]

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

2024

22 March International Friendly Tournament   1–0  Burundi Antananarivo, Madagascar
13:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
25 March International Friendly Tournament   0–2  Rwanda Antananarivo, Madagascar
16:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
7 June 2026 World Cup Qualification   2–1  Comoros Johannesburg, South Africa
18:00 UTC+2
  • Raveloson 1', 66'
 Report
Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (DR Congo)
11 June 2026 World Cup Qualification   0–0  Mali Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: FNB Stadium
Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)
5 September 2025 AFCON qualification Tunisia  1–0   Tunis, Tunisia
20:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium
Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala (RD Congo)
9 September 2025 AFCON qualification   1–1  Comoros Tunis, Tunisia
16:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Hammadi Agrebi Stadium
Referee: Patrice Mebiame (Gabon)

2025

19 March 2026 World Cup Qualification Central African Republic  1–4   Casablanca, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade Larbi Zaouli
Referee: Adalbert Diouf (Senegal)
24 March 2026 World Cup Qualification   0–3  Ghana Al Hoceima, Morocco
Report
Stadium: Grand Stade d'Al Hoceima
Referee: Issa Sy (Senegal)
1 September 2026 World Cup Qualification   v  Central African Republic
5 September 2026 World Cup Qualification   v  Chad
6 October 2026 World Cup Qualification Comoros  v  
10 October 2026 World Cup Qualification Mali  v  

Coaching staff

Head coach Corentin Martins
Assistant coaches Andry Razakandrianaina
Hervé Andrianasimbola
Goalkeeping coach Nirina Rakotobololona
Fitness coach Michel Rajaonarinantenaina
Match analyst Flavien Andriamanomenjanahary
Performance coach Alphonse Rakotomanatsinoro
Team doctors Dr. Stéphane Rajaonaribololona
Dr. Hugo Rakotomalalanantenaina
Physiotherapists Gaël Njivarabesananteinaina
Christophe Rakotonantenaina
Philippe Ravelonomenjanahary
Razakaniaina Andriarakotobololona
Team coordinator Faneva Andriatsima
Technical director Éric Rabésandratana

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the friendly against DR Congo on 8 June 2025.[19]

Caps and goals updated after the match against DR Congo on 8 June 2025.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Sonny Laiton (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 9 0 Avenir Beggen
16 1GK Téva Gardies (2001-04-01) 1 April 2001 2 0 Châteaubriant
23 1GK Melvin Adrien (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 26 0 Thonon Evian
3 2DF Mathieu Acapandié (2004-12-14) 14 December 2004 1 0 Nantes
4 2DF Titouan Fortun (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 7 0 Dijon
5 2DF Louis Démoléon (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 10 0 Enna
11 2DF Enzo Bovis (1994-04-23) 23 April 1994 2 0 Fleury 91
12 2DF Radoniaina Rabemanantsoa (1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 10 0 Andoharanofotsy
13 2DF Scotty Sadzoute (1998-04-29) 29 April 1998 1 0 Šiauliai
14 2DF Robin Busset (2000-02-25) 25 February 2000 1 0 Stade Nyonnais
2DF Berajo (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 17 0 Saint-Denis
2DF Elysée Randriamanantena (1986-01-25) 25 January 1986 1 0 ASSM Elgeco Plus
6 3MF Kalvin Paul (2001-07-02) 2 July 2001 0 0 Vierzon
7 3MF Rayan Raveloson (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 41 7 Young Boys
8 3MF Johan N'Zi (1995-01-23) 23 January 1995 5 0 Hebar Pazardzhik
10 3MF El Hadari Raheriniaina (2006-08-19) 19 August 2006 14 1 Paris
10 3MF Jean Romario Baggio Rakotoarisoa (1996-01-24) 24 January 1996 3 0 Jeanne d'Arc
17 3MF John Baggio (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 10 2 Sukhothai
3MF Marco Ilaimaharitra (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 31 3 Kortrijk
3MF Loïc Lapoussin (1996-03-27) 27 March 1996 22 1 Sint-Truiden
9 4FW Bryan Adinany (2000-03-13) 13 March 2000 1 0 Lierse
15 4FW Arnaud Randrianantenaina (2001-01-03) 3 January 2001 18 1 El Gouna
19 4FW Samuel Noireau-Dauriat (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 0 0 Guingamp
4FW Njiva Rakotoharimalala (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 40 8 Ratchaburi
4FW Hakim Abdallah (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 15 1 Dinamo București
4FW Warren Caddy (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 9 0 Lausanne Ouchy

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 Geordan Dupire (1993-09-28) 28 September 1993 1 0 Swift Hesperange v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
GK Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola (1999-10-14) 14 October 1999 19 0 Marsouins v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Tony Randriamanampisoa (1994-07-17) 17 July 1994 5 1 ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Jean Marcelin (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 1 0 Rapid Wien v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Jean-Pierre Morgan (1992-10-30) 30 October 1992 3 0 Orléans v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Thomas Fontaine (1991-05-08) 8 May 1991 32 1 Sochaux v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Thierno Millimono (2002-08-16) 16 August 2002 3 0 Othellos Athienou v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
DF Tantely Rabarijaona (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 19 0 CFFA v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
DF Sandro Trémoulet (1999-11-18) 18 November 1999 4 0 Seraing v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
DF Davidson Gueguen (2004-09-24) 24 September 2004 0 0 Villefranche Saint-Jean Beaulieu v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
DF Kenji-Van Boto (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 9 0 Pau v.  Gambia, 14 October 2024
DF Romain Métanire (1990-03-28) 28 March 1990 27 0 Spokane Velocity v.  Mali, 10 June 2024
DF Fabien Boyer (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 6 0 Saint-Pierroise v.  Mali, 10 June 2024
DF Nomena Andriatiana (2000-02-06) 6 February 2000 0 0 Aubagne FC v.  Mali, 10 June 2024
MF Tommy Iva (2000-06-02) 2 June 2000 1 0 Orléans v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
MF Lalaïna Rafanomezantsoa (1998-03-10) 10 March 1998 23 2 CFFA v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
MF Clément Couturier (1993-09-13) 13 September 1993 5 0 FC Villefranche Beaujolais v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
MF Dax (1991-04-21) 21 April 1991 34 2 Fosa Juniors v.  Ghana, 24 March 2025
MF Ibrahim Amada (captain) (1990-02-28) 28 February 1990 47 4 Ratchaburi v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
MF Rojo Andriamanjato (1992-08-11) 11 August 1992 30 1 Saint-Pauloise v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
MF Andy Rakotondrajoa (2003-07-24) 24 July 2003 6 0 Disciples v.  Comoros, 9 September 2024
MF Ando Manoelantsoa (1991-04-06) 6 April 1991 16 0 Saint-Pierroise v.  Mali, 10 June 2024
FW Tsiry Randriatsiferana (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 31 6 Saint-Pauloise v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
FW Ryan Ponti (1998-06-22) 22 June 1998 4 0 US Orléans v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
FW Fenohasina Razafimaro (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 2 0 ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Comoros, 18 November 2024
FW Carolus Andriamahitsinoro (1989-07-06) 6 July 1989 49 12 Al-Kawkab v.  Gambia, 14 October 2024
FW Tendry Randrianarijaona (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 25 4 Disciples v.  Gambia, 14 October 2024
FW Nicolas Fontaine (2000-02-07) 7 February 2000 0 0 Lokeren-Temse v.  Gambia, 14 October 2024
FW Angelo Andrianantenaina (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 3 0 AS Excelsior v.  Mali, 10 June 2024
FW Julien Pontgerard (1997-05-04) 4 May 1997 0 0 AS Brestois v.  Mali, 10 June 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 18 November 2024[20]
Players in bold are still active with Madagascar.

Most appearances

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Paulin Voavy 67 15 2007–2022
2 Mamisoa Razafindrakoto 63 0 1998–2011
3 Njiva Rakotoharimalala 54 14 2014–present
4 Gervais Randrianarisoa 52 0 2005–2022
5 Carolus Andriamatsinoro 49 12 2009–present
Jimmy Radafison 49 0 2000–2011
7 Ibrahim Amada 47 4 2008–present
Faneva Imà Andriatsima 47 14 2003–2019
Lalaina Nomenjanahary 47 5 2006–2021
Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe 47 0 1999–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 Paulin Voavy 15 67 0.22 2007–2022
2 Faneva Imà Andriatsima 14 47 0.3 2005–2019
Njiva Rakotoharimalala 14 54 0.26 2014–present
4 Carolus Andriamatsinoro 12 49 0.24 2009–present
5 Harry Randrianaivo 11 21 0.52 1990–2003
6 Ruphin Menakely 10 25 0.4 1998–2003
7 Sarivahy Vombola 8 30 0.27 2011–2017
Rado Rasoanaivo 8 40 0.2 1992–2003
9 Rayan Raveloson 6 38 0.16 2019–present
Tsiry Randriatsiferana 6 31 0.19 2022–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
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   as  
1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1966 and 1970 Did not enter Did not enter
1974 Withdrew Withdrew
as   as  
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 6 3 1 2 9 6 details
2030 To be determined details
2034 details
Total – 0/15 – – – – – – 48 16 10 22 58 66 –

Africa Cup of Nations

Main article: Madagascar at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA GR
1957 Part of  France Part of  France
1959
1962 Not affiliated to CAF Not 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 in 1996 Banned for withdrawal 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-finals 6th 5 2 2 1 7 7 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 6 0 2 4 4 8 details
2027 To be determined To be determined
2029
Total Quarter-finals 1/35 5 2 2 1 7 7 99 26 25 48 94 163 –

African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record 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
Total Third place 1/7 5 4 0 1 9 3 16 9 3 4 16 11 —

African Games

African Games record Qualification record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA GR
1965 8th 3 0 0 3 0 13 2 1 0 1 6 3 details
1973 Withdrew Withdrew
1978
1987 6th 3 1 0 2 4 5 2 1 0 1 3 3 details
1991 to 2015 U-23 Tournament U-23 Tournament
2019 – present U-20 Tournament U-20 Tournament
Total 2/4 6 1 0 5 4 18 4 2 0 2 9 6 —

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 record
Year Round Result Pld W D L GF GA
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

Major competitions

Regional

Summary

Senior Competitions Total
CAF African Nations Championship 0 0 1 1
Total 0 0 1 1

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
  2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Madagascar – List of International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Madagascar reaches first African Cup, Egypt also qualifies". The Washington Post. 16 October 2018.
  7. ^ "CAFOnline.com". Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Business & Financial News, U.S & International Breaking News | Reuters". www.reuters.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  9. ^ "Madagascar earn draw in Afcon debut". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Madagascar 0-3 Tunisia: As it happened". 11 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  16. ^ FIFA.com
  17. ^ FIFA.com
  18. ^ FIFA.com
  19. ^ "𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫". Facebook. Fédération Malagasy de Football. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Madagascar". National Football Teams.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Madagascar national association football team.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.