Cameroon Coach Marc Brys Targets Carlos Baleba for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Cameroon national team head coach Marc Brys has his sights set on young midfielder Carlos Baleba as a key player for the Lions Indomptables' 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Baleba, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 club Lille, has impressed with his performances at the club level this season.

Brys, who took over as Cameroon's coach in 2023, believes the 20-year-old has the potential to be an integral part of the national team setup in the coming years. "Carlos is a very talented player with a bright future ahead of him," Brys said in a recent interview. "He has the technical ability and vision to control the midfield and create chances for his teammates."

Baleba made his debut for Cameroon's senior national team in 2023 and has earned 5 caps so far. He was part of the squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. At Lille, he has established himself as a regular starter this season, making 28 appearances across all competitions.

Cameroon will begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in the second round of the CAF qualifiers later this year. They are aiming to qualify for their ninth World Cup, having last appeared at the tournament in 2022 in Qatar.

"We have a good mix of experienced players and promising young talents like Carlos," Brys noted about his squad. "The qualifiers will be challenging, but I am confident in the abilities of this group to get the job done and secure our place at the World Cup."

Baleba's emergence comes at an opportune time for Cameroon, as they look to rebuild their midfield after the international retirements of veterans like Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Pierre Kunde Malong following the 2022 World Cup. If he continues his development, Baleba could be the lynchpin of the Lions Indomptables' midfield for years to come as they target success on both the continental and global stages.

Key Takeaways

• Cameroon coach Brys sees Lille's Carlos Baleba as key for 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
• Baleba, 20, has impressed at club level and earned 5 caps for Cameroon since 2023.
• Cameroon aim to qualify for their 9th World Cup, last appearing in 2022 in Qatar.
• Baleba could be the lynchpin of Cameroon's midfield as they rebuild after 2022 World Cup.
• Cameroon face a challenging 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in the CAF qualifiers.