Cameroon’s national team have arrived in Australia to begin preparations for the FIFA Series 2026, just days before their opening match of the international tournament.
The Indomitable Lions landed in Sydney on 23 March, where they will face Australia national football team on 27 March before taking on China national football team four days later.
The squad has set up base in a hotel close to the city centre, providing what officials describe as a suitable environment for the team to focus on training and tactical work ahead of the fixtures.
Only a small group of players were present for the initial phase of the camp, with Arnold Maël Kamdem, Jackson Tchatchoua, Mael Fernandez Monyebe, Konrad Nfanseu and Emmanuel Moungam à Ngon among the first to report.
A larger contingent is expected to join shortly, with several players scheduled to arrive in Sydney on Tuesday.
Among those due to link up with the squad are Arthur Avom, Devis Epassy, Simon Ngapandouentbu and Blondy Noukeu.
Their arrival will take the number of players in camp to sixteen, with the remaining members of the squad expected to complete the group on Wednesday.
Head coach David Pagou is set to oversee the team’s first training session on Tuesday evening, even as he continues to wait for the full squad to assemble. The early sessions are expected to focus on building cohesion and preparing the players physically after their respective club commitments.
The staggered arrivals reflect the logistical challenges of assembling an international squad, particularly with players travelling from different leagues around the world.
Despite the delayed full assembly, the upcoming fixtures offer Cameroon an important opportunity to test combinations and assess players ahead of future competitive matches.
The match against Australia is expected to provide a stern examination against a physically strong opponent, while the encounter with China will offer a different tactical challenge.
The FIFA Series has been designed to give national teams additional competitive fixtures outside of traditional tournaments, allowing coaches to evaluate their squads in varied conditions.
For Cameroon, the focus will be on ensuring the team is fully prepared despite the limited time together, with the technical staff aiming to maximise the short window available before the first match.
With players continuing to arrive and preparations intensifying, attention will now turn to how quickly the squad can come together ahead of their opening fixture in Sydney.
