Mauritania, a desert nation in northwest Africa, will face Argentina in a friendly match on 28 March (Bangladesh time), presenting a classic “David versus Goliath” scenario in international football. The West African side played their first match in April 1963, shortly after gaining independence from France, suffering a 6-0 defeat against Congo. Despite becoming a FIFA member in 1970, Mauritania has yet to establish itself as a major footballing nation.
The team first participated in World Cup qualifying for the 1978 tournament, coinciding with Argentina’s first World Cup victory. Over the years, Mauritania has taken part in 13 World Cup qualifying campaigns but has never advanced to the tournament proper. In the 2026 qualifiers, they finished fifth in the six-team Group B, recording five losses, four draws, and a single win. Their current FIFA ranking stands at 115th, while their best ranking, 81st, was achieved in 2017.
Mauritania’s national team is nicknamed the “Lions of Chinguetti”, after the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Chinguetti. The team has competed in the Africa Cup of Nations on three occasions—2019, 2021, and 2023—but has yet to secure a spot in the most recent tournament.
The team is led by Spanish coach Artiz Lopez Garai, originally from the Biscay province in the Basque Country, who took charge in 2024. For the upcoming international window, Mauritania will play two friendly matches, including a clash with Palestine in Morocco on 31 March. Of the 26-man squad announced by Lopez Garai, 13 players are affiliated with European clubs, although none feature in top-tier leagues. Notable players include Abubakri Koita (AEK Athens, Greece) and Zeidi Gassama (Rangers, Scotland). Gassama is the team’s most valuable player, with a transfer market value of €7 million.
| Player | Club | Position | Market Value (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abubakri Koita | AEK Athens (Greece) | Forward | 4,000,000 |
| Zeidi Gassama | Rangers (Scotland) | Midfielder | 7,000,000 |
| Jordan Lefort | – | Central Defender | 2,500,000 |
Central defender Jordan Lefort, born in France, qualifies for Mauritania through his French-Mauritanian wife, Sana, and is set to make his international debut during this break.
Lopez Garai told Radio La Red, “We are a small African nation. Football is still developing here, and when you look at the map, most of our land is desert. Playing against Argentina is an honour, and we are focused on improving our game.” He added to TYC Sports, “It’s a huge moment for the country; the players are very excited, and the day will be unforgettable.”
Geographically, Mauritania covers 1,030,700 km², with nearly 90% of its territory buried under the Sahara Desert. Population centres are concentrated in the southern semi-arid regions and along the Atlantic coast in the capital, Nouakchott. The country is an Islamic republic, with Sunni Islam as the state religion and Arabic as the national language, though French is widely used in administration and commerce. Nomadic traditions remain strong, with an estimated 25% of the population still leading pastoral lifestyles.
Independence came on 28 November 1960, and Mauritania has experienced multiple military coups, achieving its first peaceful transfer of power in 2019. The country legally abolished slavery in 1981 and continues to combat its remnants through strict legislation.
Despite harsh climatic conditions, Mauritania is rich in natural resources. Its maritime territory hosts some of the world’s most productive fisheries, generating around 25% of government revenue. The country also exports iron and gold and is developing its hydrocarbon sector following the discovery of extensive offshore gas fields.
Interestingly, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni first faced Mauritania in his managerial debut with the Argentina U-20 team at the 2018 La Alucudia Tournament, guiding his side to a 2-0 victory and eventual tournament triumph. History, geography, and footballing ambition converge as Mauritania prepares to face one of the sport’s giants.