Madagascar
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Barea
AssociationFédération Malagasy de Football
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA
(Southern Africa)
Head coachRomuald Rakotondrabe
CaptainAnicet Abel
Most capsPaulin Voavy (67)
Top scorerPaulin Voavy (15)
Home stadiumMahamasina Stadium
Rabemananjara Stadium
FIFA codeMAD
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 109 Steady (21 December 2023)[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
Bronze medal – third place2022 Algeria
COSAFA Cup
Bronze medal – third place2015 South Africa

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.

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

23 March 2023 AFCON qualification Madagascar  0–3  Central African Republic Antananarivo, Madagascar
14:00 UTC+3 Report
  • Ngoma 36'
  • Mafouta 45', 79'
 Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
Referee: Samuel Uwikunda (Rwanda)
18 June 2023 AFCON qualification Madagascar  0–0  Ghana Antananarivo, Madagascar
17:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Mahamasina Municipal Stadium
Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius)
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)

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Ghana on 17 November 2023.[18]

Caps and goals updated after the match against  Central African Republic on 27 March 2023.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Mathyas Randriamamy (2003-04-23) 23 April 2003 2 0 Cyprus Ermis Aradippou
23 1GK Melvin Adrien (1993-08-30) 30 August 1993 27 0 France Thonon Evian
16 1GK Allan Rakotovazaha (1999-10-03) 3 October 1999 0 0 France US Créteil (res)
12 2DF Kenji-Van Boto (1996-03-07) 7 March 1996 9 0 France Pau
3 2DF Titouan Fortun (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 4 0 France Nantes (res)
21 2DF Thomas Fontaine (1991-05-08) 8 May 1991 28 1 France Sochaux
5 2DF Berajo (1997-03-23) 23 March 1997 26 0 Réunion Saint-Denis FC
2 2DF Louis Démoléon (1997-04-16) 16 April 1997 1 0 Italy Budoni
2DF Nomena Andriatiana (2000-02-06) 6 February 2000 0 0 France Aubagne FC
20 2DF Romain Métanire (1990-03-28) 28 March 1990 27 0 Belgium Seraing
2DF Tantely Avotraniaina Rabarijaona (1995-02-17) 17 February 1995 19 0 Madagascar CFFA
2DF Sylvio Ouassiero (1994-05-07) 7 May 1994 5 0 Luxembourg F91 Dudelange
4 2DF Radoniaina Rabemanantsoa (1997-12-17) 17 December 1997 3 0 Madagascar AS Fanalamanga
6 3MF Marco Ilaimaharitra (1995-07-26) 26 July 1995 25 3 Belgium Charleroi
7 3MF Rayan Raveloson (captain) (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 29 3 France Auxerre
8 3MF Lalaina (1998-03-10) 10 March 1998 19 1 Madagascar CFFA
13 3MF Tsiry (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 24 6 Madagascar Fosa Juniors
14 3MF Clément Couturier (1993-09-13) 13 September 1993 1 0 Luxembourg Swift Hesperange
3MF Jean Romario Baggio Rakotoharisoa (1996-01-24) 24 January 1996 21 0 Réunion Jeanne d'Arc
3MF Adrien Trebel (1991-03-03) 3 March 1991 0 0 Belgium Charleroi
17 3MF Loïc Lapoussin (1996-03-27) 27 March 1996 17 1 Belgium Union SG
18 3MF Rojo Andriamanjato (1992-08-11) 11 August 1992 23 1 Réunion Saint-Pauloise
19 3MF Tendry Mataniah (1998-03-19) 19 March 1998 18 4 Madagascar Disciples FC
22 3MF Dorian Bertrand (1993-05-21) 21 May 1993 8 0 Romania Argeș Pitești
9 4FW Arnaud Randrianantenaina (2001-01-03) 3 January 2001 12 2 Egypt El Gouna
10 4FW Njiva Rakotoharimalala (1992-08-06) 6 August 1992 50 14 Thailand Ratchaburi
11 4FW El Hadari Raheriniaina (2006-08-19) 19 August 2006 8 2 Seychelles St Michel United FC
15 4FW Warren Caddy (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 1 0 France FC Annecy

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 Razakanirina Rakotoasimbola (1999-10-14) 14 October 1999 18 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
GK Rajomazandry Andrinirina (2000-07-07) 7 July 2000 0 0 Madagascar JET Kintana v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
DF Tantely Randrianiana (1989-02-13) 13 February 1989 36 0 Madagascar Disciples v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Datsiry (1991-06-01) 1 June 1991 13 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Théodin Ramanjary (1996-08-16) 16 August 1996 9 0 Réunion Sainte-Suzanne v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Fabien Boyer (1991-04-12) 12 April 1991 6 0 Réunion Saint-Pierroise v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Mahavy Tiana Randrianarisoa (1996-11-28) 28 November 1996 0 0 Unknown v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
DF Ando Rakotondrazaka (1987-09-25) 25 September 1987 30 0 Madagascar Disciples 2022 African Nations Championship
MF Dax Andrianarimanana (1991-04-21) 21 April 1991 33 1 Madagascar Fosa Juniors v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
MF Zout Randriambololona (1994-04-22) 22 April 1994 21 0 Saudi Arabia Al-Nojoom v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
MF Ando Manoelantsoa (1991-04-06) 6 April 1991 14 0 Réunion Saint-Pierroise v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
MF Ibrahim Amada (1990-02-28) 28 February 1990 40 3 Saudi Arabia Al-Qadsiah v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
FW Julio Donisa (1994-01-15) 15 January 1994 6 1 Romania Argeș Pitești v.  Central African Republic, 27 March 2023
FW Hakim Abdallah (1998-01-09) 9 January 1998 13 1 Romania Dinamo București v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
FW Jean-Yves Razafindrakoto (1997-08-16) 16 August 1997 12 3 Madagascar Fosa Juniors v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
FW Razafindranaivo Koloina (2000-03-25) 25 March 2000 10 3 Algeria MC Alger v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
FW Toky Rakotondraibe (2000-07-10) 10 July 2000 0 0 Unknown v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
FW Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro (1999-01-27) 27 January 1999 0 0 Madagascar ASSM Elgeco Plus v.  Ghana, 18 June 2023
FW Marcio Ravelomanantsoa (1996-10-15) 15 October 1996 14 2 Madagascar JET Kintana 2022 African Nations Championship
FW Onjaniaina Hasinirina (1995-03-30) 30 March 1995 6 0 Madagascar ASSM 2022 African Nations Championship
  • 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 20 November 2023[19]
Players in bold are still active with Madagascar.

Most appearances

Paulin Voavy is Madagascar's top goalscorer and their most capped player.
Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1Paulin Voavy67152003–present
2Mamisoa Razafindrakoto6301998–2011
3Gervais Randrianarisoa5202005–present
4Njiva Rakotoharimalala50142014–present
5Jimmy Radafison4902000–2011
6Faneva Imà Andriatsima47142003–2019
Lalaina Nomenjanahary4752006–2021
Eric-Julien Rakotondrabe4701999–2011
9Carolus Andriamatsinoro45112009–present
10Pascal Razakanantenaina4122007–2021

Top goalscorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1Paulin Voavy15670.222003–present
2Faneva Imà Andriatsima14470.32005–2019
Njiva Rakotoharimalala14500.282014–present
4Harry Randrianaivo11210.521990–2003
Carolus Andriamatsinoro11450.242009–present
5Ruphin Menakely10250.41998–2003
7Sarivahy Vombola8300.272011–2017
Rado Rasoanaivo8400.21992–2003
9Tsiry Randriantsiferana6250.242022–present
10Praxis Rabemananjara5160.312001–2008
Lalaina Nomenjanahary5470.112006–2021

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA GR
Uruguay 1930 Part of  France Part of  France
Italy 1934
France 1938
Brazil 1950
Switzerland 1954
Sweden 1958
Chile 1962 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
England 1966 Did not enter Did not enter
Mexico 1970
West Germany 1974 Withdrew Withdrew
Argentina 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Spain 1982 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
Mexico 1986 2 1 0 1 1 1 details
Italy 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
United States 1994 Did not qualify 4 3 0 1 7 3 details
France 1998 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
South Korea Japan 2002 10 3 0 7 7 16 details
Germany 2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
South Africa 2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
Brazil 2014 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
Russia 2018 4 1 2 1 7 7 details
Qatar 2022 6 1 1 4 4 9 details
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 1 0 0 1 0 1 details
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined details
Saudi Arabia 2034 details
Total–0/22–––––– 43139214661–

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
Sudan 1957Part of  FrancePart of  France
United Arab Republic 1959
Ethiopia 1962Not affiliated to CAFNot affiliated to CAF
Ghana 1963
Tunisia 1965 Did not enter Did not enter
Ethiopia 1968
Sudan 1970
Cameroon 1972 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 5 details
Egypt 1974 2 1 0 1 3 4 details
Ethiopia 1976 Withdrew Withdrew
Ghana 1978 Did not enter Did not enter
Nigeria 1980 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 3 6 details
Libya 1982 4 2 1 1 4 7 details
Ivory Coast 1984 4 1 1 2 3 4 details
Egypt 1986 2 0 0 2 2 6 details
Morocco 1988 2 1 0 1 2 3 details
Algeria 1990 Withdrew Withdrew
Senegal 1992 Did not qualify 5 2 2 1 3 2 details
Tunisia 1994 Did not enter Did not enter
South Africa 1996 Withdrew during qualifiers Withdrew during qualifiers
Burkina Faso 1998 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996 Banned for withdrawal from qualifiers in 1996
Ghana Nigeria 2000 Did not qualify 8 2 3 3 9 12 details
Mali 2002 8 2 2 4 7 8 details
Tunisia 2004 4 2 0 2 2 8 details
Egypt 2006 2 0 1 1 3 4 details
Ghana 2008 4 0 0 4 0 14 details
Angola 2010 8 3 3 2 12 9 details
Gabon 2012 6 0 1 5 4 14 details
South Africa 2013 2 0 0 2 1 7 details
Equatorial Guinea 2015 2 1 0 1 2 2 details
Gabon 2017 6 0 3 3 5 12 details
Egypt 2019 Quarter-finals6th522177 8 5 1 2 12 10 details
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 9 details
Ivory Coast 2023 In progress details
Morocco 2025 To be determined To be determined
Kenya Tanzania Uganda 2027
TotalQuarter-finals1/36522177 8726204189146–

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
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not enter Did not enter
Sudan 2011 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 0 2 details
South Africa 2014 Did not enter Did not enter
Rwanda 2016
Kenya 2018 Did not qualify 6 3 2 1 6 3 details
Cameroon 2020 4 2 0 2 4 5 details
Algeria 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
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA
Republic of the Congo 1965-
Kenya 1987-
Total2/4

Indian Ocean Island Games

Indian Ocean Island Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Réunion 1979 Did not enter
Mauritius 1985 Fourth place 4th 2 1 0 1 2 3
Madagascar 1990 Champions 1st 4 3 1 0 12 1
Seychelles 1993 Champions 1st 4 4 0 0 10 2
Réunion 1998 Runners-up 2nd 4 3 1 0 10 3
Mauritius 2003 Group stage 5th 2 0 1 1 2 4
Madagascar 2007 Runners-up 2nd 4 2 2 0 7 0
Seychelles 2011 Group stage 7th 2 0 1 1 2 3
Réunion 2015 Fourth place 4th 5 1 1 3 6 8
Mauritius 2019 Group stage 5th 2 0 2 0 2 2
Madagascar 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
South Africa 2008 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 6 7
Zimbabwe 2009 Did not enter
Zambia 2013
South Africa 2015 Third place 3rd 6 4 1 1 11 7
Namibia 2016 Group stage 11th 3 1 1 1 1 1
South Africa 2017 Group stage 9th 3 2 1 0 6 1
South Africa 2018 Fourth place 4th 6 2 2 2 4 4
South Africa 2019 Did not enter
South Africa 2021 Did not enter
South Africa 2022 Quarter-finals 5th 2 0 0 2 4 1
South Africa 2023 Did not enter
Total Third place 12/22 36 14 8 14 42 35

References

  1. ↑ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  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. ↑ "Fantaro ny lisitr'ireo mpilalao voaantso handrafitra ny ekipam-pirenena malagasy". Facebook. Fédération Malagasy de Football. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  19. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Madagascar - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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