Cameroon’s national football team has been thrown into disarray after defender Harold Moukoudi was mistakenly named in the squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The confusion unfolded during head coach Marc Brys’ press conference on Friday, where he confirmed the inclusion of Beijing Guoan’s Michael Ngadeu in his plans.
However, the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) simultaneously published an official squad list on social media that excluded Ngadeu and instead featured Moukoudi, sparking widespread speculation and criticism.
How the mix-up happened
Thierry Ndoh, press officer for the Indomitable Lions, clarified the incident, revealing that the confusion began several days earlier.
“Marc Brys sent an email to the FECAFOOT secretary general on Saturday requesting that Ngadeu be replaced by Moukoudi, believing Ngadeu to be injured,” Ndoh explained. “That is how Moukoudi’s name appeared on the official list for these two matches.”
Following a direct conversation with Ngadeu, Brys learned the defender was fit to play and decided to reinstate him in the squad. However, the Belgian coach reportedly failed to notify FECAFOOT of this change, leading to administrative staff finalising Moukoudi’s travel arrangements and publishing his name in the confirmed list. The error only came to light mid-press conference, leaving team officials visibly embarrassed.
Rapid corrective action
FECAFOOT moved swiftly to address the blunder, preparing updated paperwork to officially summon Ngadeu while simultaneously requesting Brys to issue a formal note cancelling Moukoudi’s call-up.
“This is purely an administrative error,” Ndoh stressed. “A document is already being prepared to summon Ngadeu, and the coach has been asked to make an official request to withdraw Moukoudi’s inclusion.”
The incident has been widely discussed on social media, with many fans and analysts pointing to ongoing tensions and communication issues between the coaching staff and the federation.
A deeper issue exposed
While the mix-up is expected to be resolved quickly, it has shone a spotlight on the internal challenges facing the Cameroonian football setup ahead of two critical fixtures.
The Indomitable Lions are set to face tough competition as they aim to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup, yet administrative errors like this risk undermining preparations and morale.
Moukoudi, currently playing for AEK Athens, has become an unintended victim of the bureaucratic mishap, while Ngadeu, initially overlooked, is expected to rejoin the squad.
This episode underscores organisational shortcomings within Cameroon’s football management, raising questions about leadership and communication at a pivotal moment for the national team.
