Ethiopia has called up four new players for their FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Egypt and Djibouti this month. Midfielder Habtamu Tekeste returns to the team for the first time in four years.
Ethiopia will host Egypt in Casablanca, Morocco, on March 21, and then face Djibouti in El Jadida, Morocco, on March 24.
Coach Mesay Teferi selected 24 players – the new players include defenders Woldeamanuel Getu and Abduselam Yusuf, and strikers Ahmed Hussien and Mohammed Abera.
Tekeste, 26, is back on the team after not playing since November 2021. Striker Abubeker Nassir is the only player from abroad. He signed with South African club SuperSport United this season but has not yet played due to an injury.
Ethiopia aims to win its first match in Group A of the 2026 African qualifiers. The team has only three points from four games and is seven points behind Egypt, the leaders.
Squad:
- Goalkeeper: Biniyam Genetu (Wolayta Dicha), Seid Habtamu (Awassa Kenema), Abubeker Nura (Ethiopia Medhin)
- Defenders: Birhanu Bekele (Sidama Bunna), Woldeamanuel Getu, Ramkel James (both Ethiopia Bunna), Frezer Kassa (Bahardar), Yareed Kassaye (Ethiopia Medhin), Ahmed Rashid (Dire Dawa Kenema), Aschalew Tamene (Mekelakeya), Amanuel Tarfa (Kedus Giorgis), Asrat Tunjo, Abduselam Yusuf (both Dire Dawa Kenema)
- Midfielders: Wogene Gezahegn (Ethiopia Medhin), Biruk Markos (Hadiya Hoseana), Habtamu Tekeste (Fasil Kenema), Bereket Wolde (Kedus Giorgis), Abdulkerim Worku, Amanuel Yohannes (both Mekelakeya).
- Forwards: Mohammed Abera (Ethiopia Medhin), Bereket Desta (Mekelakeya), Chernet Gugsa (Bahardar), Ahmed Hussien (Arba Minch Kenema), Abubeker Nassir (SuperSport United, South Africa).
