Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma left out of Mali squad for Comoros, Ghana duels

Mali coach Tom Saintfiet has left out Tottenham Hotspur star Yves Bissouma from his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Comoros and Ghana respectively.

The Eagles will play host to Comoros on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Municipal de Berkane in Morocco before traveling to Ghana for the high-stake clash against the Black Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

Ahead of the games, the former Gambia coach, who recently replaced Eric Chelle have unveiled his squad, excluding Bissouma.

Meanwhile, reasons for the omission of the highly-profiled midfielder remains unknown as Mali gear up for the crucial games next month.

However, his imminent move to Galatasaray could contribute to his exclusion from the squad for qualifiers.

Saintfiet has maintained the core of his side, with a blend of European-based talents and emerging prospects.

RC Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare, Al Ahly’s in-form attacker Aliou Dieng, and Stade Brest playmaker Kamory Doumbia headline a solid midfield that promises creativity and dynamism.

In attack, Feyenoord’s Gaoussou Diarra, Fenerbahçe’s Nene Dorgeles, and Watford’s versatile forward Mamadou Doumbia provide firepower alongside Levksi Sofia’s Mustapha Sangare and Auxerre’s Lassine Sinayoko.

Defensively, Schalke 04’s Ibrahima Cisse, Braga’s Sikou Niakate, and Palermo’s Salim Diakite form a formidable unit, with Lyon’s Lassine Diarra expected to battle for the No.1 spot in goal.

Mali will have to negotiate for points in the two crucial games to revive their World Cup qualification hopes, having struggled in the last two games.

Currently, Ghana sit top of Group I, accumulating 15 points after six matches, followed by Comoros (12 points), Madagascar (10), Mali (9), Central Africa Republic (5), with Chad yet to secure a point.