Dango Ouattara, Edmond Tapsoba lead Burkina Faso’s 25-man squad for Russia and Belarus friendlies

Burkina Faso head coach Amir Abdou has unveiled a 25-man squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Russia and Belarus during the June international window.

The Stallions will take on Russia on June 5 in Volgograd before facing Belarus four days later in Minsk as part of preparations for future competitive assignments.

The two matches are expected to provide Amir Abdou with another opportunity to evaluate his squad depth and strengthen team chemistry ahead of upcoming qualification campaigns.

The squad features a blend of experienced internationals and promising young talents, with several Europe-based stars making the list. Among the headline names included are Dango Ouattara, Edmond Tapsoba and Nasser Djiga.

Premier League winger Dango Ouattara is expected to play a key role in attack thanks to his pace, creativity and ability to influence matches in the final third, while Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba will once again marshal the backline with his experience and composure.

The squad also includes several exciting young prospects as Burkina Faso continue building a competitive team capable of challenging on the continental stage.

However, notable absentee Lassina Traore was left out of the squad due to travel and passport complications linked to the trip to Russia, despite enjoying a strong season with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The upcoming friendlies are expected to test the Étalons against two physically demanding opponents, while also allowing Amir Abdou to experiment tactically and assess player combinations.

Burkina Faso supporters will particularly be eager to see how the younger players adapt at international level alongside established stars as the national team continues its long-term rebuilding process.

With a balanced squad combining experience, athleticism and attacking quality, the Stallions will head into the June fixtures hoping to deliver strong performances and build momentum for future competitive challenges.

Burkina Faso squad for Russia and Belarus friendlies

Goalkeepers: Herve Koffi, Kilian Nikiema, Hillel Konate

Defenders: Nasser Djiga, Edmond Tapsoba, Adamo Nagalo, Arsene Kouassi, Mohamed Ouedraogo, Saidou Simpore, Cyrille Dao, Arthur Zagre, Hanaby Hadalou Sagne

Midfielders: Mohamed Zougrana, Gustavo Sangare, Ismahila Ouedraogo, Lohann Doucet, Aboubacar Bassinga

Forwards: Dango Ouattara, Ousseni Bouda, Pierre Landry Kabore, Georgi Minoungou, Cyriaque Irie, Elohim Kabore, Mohamed Konate, Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba