Togolese central defender Josué Homawoo targets World Cup breakthrough with Standard de Liège

At 27, Josué Homawoo has embarked on a new chapter with Standard de Liège, fuelled by a determination to elevate his career and secure a place in Togo’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The Togolese central defender, who arrived as a free agent on 1 July 2025, has wasted no time in making his presence felt in the Jupiler Pro League, determined to transform his late-blooming career into a success story.

Born in Lomé in 1997, Homawoo’s footballing journey began after relocating to France at the age of five.

His formative years at Élan Sportif Lyonnais and later Lyon-Saint-Priest shaped a player of resilience and quiet ambition.

In 2015, he joined the FC Nantes reserve team and signed his first professional contract two years later.

However, his progress was stifled by persistent injuries and intense competition.

It wasn’t a question of level or quality, all my coaches told me that, Homawoo reflected in an interview with Walfoot on 31 July 2025.

A series of loan moves to Lorient’s reserve side and Red Star in France’s National division failed to provide the breakthrough he sought. It was not until his move to Dinamo Bucharest in 2023 that Homawoo found his footing.

In Romania, he flourished over two seasons, earning consecutive selections in the Liga I Team of the Year.

His standout performances included a memorable penalty-winning display in a 3-1 victory over Oțelul Galați in February 2024.

His consistency eventually earned him a call-up to Togo’s national team in September 2024, where he has since earned three caps, including a full 90-minute appearance in a crucial World Cup qualifier in March 2025.

Courted by clubs from Egypt and Turkey, Homawoo was swayed by the vision presented by Mircea Rednic, his former opponent in Romania, now at the helm of Standard de Liège.

Signing a two-year deal with an optional third, Homawoo’s arrival adds a much-needed left-footed presence to the heart of the Liège defence.

Standing at 1.91 metres, his combination of physical presence and sharp distribution makes him a unique asset.

His debut on 26 July 2025 against RAAL La Louvière ended in a commanding 2-0 victory, with Homawoo earning an impressive 8.4 rating from Sofascore.

I’m not yet at 100%, but I feel that I can still improve, he remarked during his official unveiling to the media, signalling his intent to become a cornerstone of Standard’s defensive line.

Beyond his ambitions with the club, Homawoo has his sights firmly set on cementing his place in Togo’s starting eleven for the World Cup qualifiers.

Standard can be a springboard, but my main goal is to win here, he reiterated.

With Togo drawn into a challenging qualifying group alongside Mali and Ghana, the Hawks face a daunting task.

However, under the guidance of coach Daré Nibombé, Homawoo believes that strong performances in Belgium’s competitive top flight could enhance his prospects of representing his nation on football’s grandest stage.

The Jupiler Pro League’s reputation for intensity and tactical rigour offers Homawoo the perfect platform to achieve that dream.