Burkina Faso and Benin begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaigns on Friday when they meet at the Stade du 4 Aout in Ouagadougou, with both teams also looking ahead to prestigious fixtures against Argentina next month.
Burkina Faso will face Argentina on 3 October, while Benin will meet the world champions on 6 October in a match that is expected to mark Lionel Messi’s international retirement. Coaches Amir Abdou and Gernot Rohr will therefore have to keep their squads focused on their qualifying campaigns before turning their attention to those high-profile matches.
The two sides are in Group F alongside Central African Republic and Mauritania. Burkina Faso will face Central African Republic in their next qualifying fixture, while Mauritania are scheduled to play Benin on 29 September.
Burkina Faso were the first side to qualify on the pitch for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but finished that campaign with two defeats and were eventually overtaken by Senegal.
The Etalons also produced six victories from 10 matches during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, ending the campaign five points behind Egypt.
They won four of their eight nominal home matches during that qualifying campaign, drawing three, including against Egypt, and losing to Senegal. Some of those matches were played away from home in Mali and Cote d’Ivoire.
At the Africa Cup of Nations, Burkina Faso defeated Equatorial Guinea and Sudan but lost to Algeria before their campaign ended in the last 16 with a 3-0 defeat by Cote d’Ivoire.
Brama Traore was subsequently dismissed and replaced by Amir Abdou. The new coach’s first four matches produced one victory against Guinea-Bissau, two draws, including another game against Guinea-Bissau and one against Belarus, and a defeat by Russia.
Benin also progressed to the last 16 at the tournament after qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams. They defeated Botswana but suffered defeats against Senegal and DR Congo before taking Egypt to extra time, eventually losing 3-1.
Rohr’s side responded with 1-0 friendly victories over Liberia and Guinea in March. Their results in June were less positive, with a changed side drawing 1-1 against Niger before suffering a 5-1 defeat by Togo.
Benin have also found away matches difficult, recording four defeats, three draws and one victory in their eight away games across the previous Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Burkina Faso hold the advantage in the head-to-head record, having won 10 of their 18 meetings. Their most recent victory came in Morocco last November, when they won 3-0. Benin have won three matches, while five encounters have ended in draws.
Abdou has again left out Bertrand Traore, who recently joined Wolverhampton and is still working towards full match fitness. Cyriaque Irie of Fribourg and Mohamed Konate have also been omitted.
Five players could make their international debuts for Burkina Faso: Chec Bebel Doumbia, Aboubacar Camara, Ismael Maiga, Rachid Kouda and Axel Taonsa.
Herve Koffi, Edmond Tapsoba, Dango Ouattara and Lassina Traore are expected to bring experience to the Burkina Faso side.
Benin will be without injured forward Steve Mounie and suspended defender Olivier Verdon. Joseph Ede Oloko has received his first call-up, while Junior Olaitan has provided six assists in 12 appearances for Besiktas this season.
The opening Group F meeting will therefore bring together two sides seeking a positive start to their qualification campaigns, with major international friendlies against Argentina awaiting both teams in October.
Probable teams
Burkina Faso: Herve Koffi – Issa Kabore, Edmond Tapsoba, Nasser Djiga, Arsene Kouassi – Ismahila Ouedraogo, Julien Bationo, Lohann Doucet – Dango Ouattara, Lassina Traore, Ousseni Bouda.
Benin: Marcel Dandjinou – Tamimou Ouorou, Yohan Roche, Mohamed Tijani, Rachid Moumini – Samadou Attidjikou, Hassane Imourane, Jodel Dossou – Junior Olaitan, Aiyegun Tosin, Rodolfo Aloko
