The Group H of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers will commence at Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Group H on Friday when Liberia host Malawi in the opening fixtures.
The two nations have been inactive in the continental showpiece — Africa Cup of Nations — for the past years and will be missing the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast slated for January to February 2024.
Match preview
Liberia dream of playing at the 2023 AFCON ended when they suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Morocco at the Adrar Stadium.
Amine Harit, Ayoub El Kaabi and Bayer Leverkusen man Amine Adli all found the back of the net to hand the Atlas Lions all three points in front of their home supporters.
Ansumana Keita's men have now lost four games on the bounce across all competitions and are without a win in their last seven, losing five and claiming two draws since a 2-1 victory over Senegal in 2022.
Malawi ended the AFCON qualifiers with just one win in their six matches while losing three and claiming two draws to pick up five points and finish third in Group D.
The Flames have also failed to win any of their last three matches across all competitions, including a penalty-shootout defeat against South Africa in the COSAFA Cup third-place playoff on July 16.
The senior national team of Malawi will look to end this poor run and pick up a dream start to their quest for a first-ever World Cup appearance, they go up against a Malawi side who are unbeaten in each of their previous three encounters, claiming two wins and one draw.
The last meeting of the two countries came in a friendly fixture back in September 2012, when Zah Krangar netted an 88th-minute winner to hand the Lone Stars a narrow victory at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium.
Team News
Malawi have named an experienced squad list for the match including the Mighty Mukuru Wanderers trio of Lawrence Chaziya, midfielder Francisco Madinga and striker Christopher Kumwembe.
Having missed the last two AFCON qualifiers against Ethiopia and Guinea respectively, Gabadinho Mhango has been included in the squad, while skipper John Banda and goalkeeper Brighton Munthali headline the foreign-based players
The Lone Stars of Liberia will be relying on the likes of Arago Jamal, Mohammed Sangare, Sampson Dweh and Mark Pabai for the upcoming game.
Veteran striker William Jebor is expected to lead the Liberians attack once again, while we expect Oscar Dorley and Shrewsbury Town's Nohan Kenneh to team up.
KICKOFF TIME
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 16:00 GMT (4:00PM)
PREDICTION
Liberia 2-1 Malawi
