Mali

Mali, with its capital in Bamako and a population of 22 million, is known for the ancient city of Timbuktu, Djinguereber Mosque, and the Niger River. Timbuktu was once one of the world's great centers of learning, housing the University of Sankore which contained one of the largest libraries in the world during the 14th century.

In football, the Les Aigles (The Eagles) are making their World Cup debut in 2026. They enter their first-ever World Cup with Yves Bissouma as their talisman under head coach Tom Saintfiet. Mali will make their World Cup debut in 2026 despite producing several top European club players — their 2026 qualification is a historic breakthrough for Malian football.

SeatNav's Power Index rates Mali at 3.8 out of 10, ranking them #34 overall and classifying them as a determined underdog. In Group K, they face Portugal, Saudi Arabia in what has been categorized as a moderately challenging group (difficulty 5/10).

As World Cup debutants, Mali bring a fresh and unpredictable energy to the tournament. Their matches could be among the most compelling narratives of 2026 — football fans looking for underdog stories should keep a close eye on the Les Aigles (The Eagles). Follow SeatNav for ticket updates as the tournament approaches.