The Cameroon World Cup 2022 squad has been announced for the tournament and there are a few familiar faces on the 26-man list.
This will be Cameroon’s eighth World Cup finals – two more than any other African country – yet only in 1990 have the Indomitable Lions roared their way beyond the group stage.
“For most of the time, we were not adequately prepared,” said Samuel Eto’o, now president of Cameroon’s FA, adding a foreboding promise: “But that will not happen this time.” Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland await in a very even group at the Qatar World Cup 2022, so they will need all of the preparation they can get.
They have plenty of strengths, though. Cameroon’s rich tradition of excellent goalkeepers has continued in cousins Andre Onana and Fabrice Ondoa. There are fine options to partner Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in midfield, with Jean Onana, Martin Hongla, Olivier Ntcham and Samuel Gouet in the hunt. Bryan Mbuemo has declared for Cameroon, too.
However, while Rigobert Song appeared in four World Cups as a player, but he wasn’t known for his astute reading of a game – and he isn’t as head coach, either. He takes more of a Vicente del Bosque role, as a calming presence in a team of strong characters, leaving the tactical burden to assistant Sebastien Migne, who was appointed only in March. Is it enough?
They've also struggled to convert the chances they create, even in finishing third at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon World Cup 2022 squad
Cameroon World Cup 2022 squad
- GK: Simon Ngapandouetnbu (Marseille)
- GK: Devis Epassy (Abha)
- GK: Andre Onana (Inter Milan)
- DF: Nicolas Nkoulou (Aris)
- DF: Enzo Ebosse (Udinese)
- DF: Oumar Gonzalez (Ajaccio)
- DF: Nouhou Tolo (Seattle Sounders)
- DF: Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union)
- DF: Collins Fai (Al-Tai)
- DF: Jean-Charles Castelletto (Nantes)
- DF: Christopher Wooh (Rennes)
- MF: Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli)
- MF: Jerome Ngom Mbekeli (APEJES de Mfou)
- MF: Gael Ondoua (Hannover)
- MF: Samuel Gouet (Mechelen)
- MF: Pierre Kunde (Olympiacos)
- MF: Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona)
- MF: Olivier Ntcham (Swansea)
- FW: Vincent Aboubakar (Al-Nassr)
- FW: Souaibou Marou (Coton Sport)
- FW: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich)
- FW: Christian Bassogog (Shanghai Shenhua)
- FW: Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow)
- FW: Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Besiktas)
- FW: Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford)
- FW: Jean-Pierre Nsame (Young Boys)
- FW: Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon)
- FW: Moumi Ngamaleu (Dynamo Moscow)
Cameroon top scorers
1 goal - Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Vincent Aboubakar, Jean-Charles Castelletto
Cameroon yellow cards & suspensions
1 yellow card - Christian Bassogog, Nicolas Nkoulou, Collins Fai
Cameroon's manager
Who is Cameroon's manager for the 2022 World Cup?
In 2016, Rigobert Song suffered a brain aneurysm and a two-day coma. The near-death experience changed his outlook. His laid-back style has led critics to say he isn’t suitable for the role – he received it on orders of the nation’s president, Paul Biya – but the 46-year-old ex-defender, Cameroon’s record cap-holder, does inspire his troops.
Cameroon's star player
Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi scored five goals at this year’s AFCON, the only goal as Cameroon beat the Ivory Coast to top their World Cup qualifying group ahead of the Elephants and a decisive last-gasp play-off winner against Algeria. The 30-year-old is the first name on the team-sheet, even ahead of captain Vincent Aboubakar.
Who is Cameroon's star player for the 2022 World Cup?
How many players are Cameroon allowed to take to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure brought in due to the COVID-19 pandemic – while last year's Copa America allowed squads of 28 players.
Now it has been announced that 26-player squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an expansion from the usual 23-man teams.
