Togo sweat over Josué Homawoo fitness ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Togo defender Josué Homawoo is facing a race against time to be fit for his nation’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches after picking up an injury with Standard Liège.

The 24-year-old centre-back was forced off during Standard’s Belgian First Division clash with Oud-Heverlee Leuven on Matchday 6, raising immediate concern within the Togolese camp.

At present, no official details have been released regarding the extent of his injury, and the national team staff are anxiously awaiting updates from the Belgian club’s medical team.

Homawoo’s potential absence would come as a significant setback for the Hawks, who are preparing for two crucial qualifiers in early September.

Togo travel to face Mauritania on 5 September before returning home to host Sudan on 9 September—fixtures that could heavily influence their chances of reaching the 2026 finals in North America.

The defender has become a cornerstone of Togo’s backline, with his physicality, aerial dominance and composure under pressure giving the team much-needed stability.

Losing him at such a decisive stage would force coach Paulo Duarte to rethink his defensive setup, particularly with fellow international David Henen already ruled out.

Togo’s campaign has so far been marked by narrow margins, and squad depth remains a concern compared with their qualifying rivals.

The uncertainty surrounding Homawoo only heightens the pressure on the remaining defensive options, who may need to step up against opponents known for their attacking strength.

Within Standard Liège, there is also caution, with the Belgian side mindful of managing the player’s recovery properly.

Any prolonged absence at club level could further complicate matters for both the player and his national team commitments.

For now, Togo must plan for all scenarios.

Duarte and his staff are likely to draw up contingency measures in case Homawoo fails to recover in time, though they will be hoping for positive news in the coming days.

The Hawks’ supporters, too, will be keeping a close watch on developments.

With qualification hopes at stake, the potential loss of a defensive leader comes at the worst possible moment.

As the countdown to September’s double-header continues, all eyes will be on Standard Liège’s medical reports to determine whether Homawoo can return in time—or whether Togo will have to face a critical stage in their World Cup journey without one of their most trusted defenders.