The dream is still very much alive for Guinea-Bissau! The national team, often called the Djurtus, clinched a vital 2-0 victory at home today against Djibouti. This win came during the eighth round of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. It temporarily pushed them up to third place in Group A, keeping their hopes burning brightly.
The match at Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau started slowly. Both teams went into halftime with no goals scored. But the home crowd found their voice in the second half. Defender Iano Imbeni, who plays for Penafiel in Portugal’s Second League, broke the deadlock at the 54-minute mark. Then, Fali Candé, a talent from Sassuolo in Italy, sealed the deal. His goal in the 82nd minute ensured all three points stayed in Bissau.
This win means Guinea-Bissau now holds 10 points in the group. They sit behind the formidable leaders, Egypt, who have 19 points, and Burkina Faso, with 14 points. Egypt and Burkina Faso are set to clash on Tuesday, a game that could shake up the top spots. Meanwhile, Djibouti remains at the bottom of the table, in sixth place, with just a single point to their name.
With only two matchdays left in the qualification journey, the road ahead is tricky. While the Djurtus are celebrating this win, they can’t get too comfortable. Sierra Leone, currently in fourth place with nine points, could overtake them. Sierra Leone will play host to Ethiopia, who are fifth with six points, also on Tuesday. These upcoming games will decide a lot for the hopefuls.
It’s a tough path to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19. Only the winner of each of the nine African qualification groups gets a direct ticket. There’s a tiny glimmer of hope for some second-place teams too. The four best runners-up will enter a playoff, vying for a possible tenth spot from the continent. Every match from here on out carries massive weight.