Mauritania, Desert Nomads Face Argentina

Mauritania, the vast desert nation of northwest Africa, is set to meet world champions Argentina in a rare international friendly on 28 March, Bangladesh time. Though modest in footballing history, the matchup has captured attention as a classic “David versus Goliath” encounter.

The Mauritanian national team first stepped onto the international stage in April 1963, shortly after the country gained independence from France, suffering a heavy 6–0 defeat to Congo. Seven years later, in 1970, the team became a FIFA member but has struggled ever since to make a significant mark in global football.

Mauritania participated in its first FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the 1978 tournament—the same edition Argentina won for the first time. Since then, the team has contested the African qualifiers thirteen times but has yet to reach a World Cup finals. In the 2026 World Cup qualification, Mauritania competed in Group B, finishing fifth out of six, with one win, four draws, and five losses, leaving them ranked 115th in the FIFA standings. Their best ranking came in 2017, when they reached 81st place.

The national squad is nicknamed the Lions of Chinguetti, after the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Chinguetti. Mauritania has taken part in the Africa Cup of Nations on three occasions (2019, 2021, 2023) but has not qualified for the most recent tournament.

Key Mauritania Team Data

Spanish coach Artiz Lopez Garai, born in the Basque region of Biscay, took over the team in 2024. For the upcoming FIFA international break, Mauritania will play two friendlies, also facing Palestine in Morocco on 31 March. Of the 26-man squad, 13 players are contracted to European clubs, though none play in top-tier leagues. Notable names include Aboubakry Keita of Greece’s AEK Athens and Zaydi Gassama of Scotland’s Rangers, with Gassama currently the most valuable player at approximately €7 million.

Central defender Jordan Lefort, born in France, qualifies to play for Mauritania through his wife’s Franco-Mauritanian heritage, and he is set to make his international debut during this break.

Speaking to Radio La Red, Coach Garai remarked, “We are a small African country. Football has only recently begun to develop here. Looking at a map, you see more desert than cities or pitches. Playing against Argentina is a great honour for us.” He told TYC Sports, “It’s a huge event. The country loves football. Facing Argentina will be an unforgettable experience for the players.”

Mauritania: Desert Geography and Society

Mauritania covers 1,030,700 km², with nearly 90% of its territory dominated by the Sahara. The population is concentrated in the subtropical south and the Atlantic coast around the capital, Nouakchott. A significant portion of the population—around 25%—still lives a semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Despite harsh geography, Mauritania possesses rich natural resources, including some of the world’s most productive fishing grounds, iron and gold exports, and recently discovered offshore gas fields. These resources contribute significantly to the national revenue.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, before taking charge of the senior side, had previously faced Mauritania as U-20 coach during the 2018 La Alcadúia Tournament in Spain, defeating them 2–0 en route to a tournament victory. The upcoming friendly thus revisits an old opponent from Scaloni’s coaching history.

Mauritania’s clash with Argentina offers more than just a football match—it is a symbolic showcase for a desert nation striving to mark its presence on the global football stage.