Mali

Mali

The Mali national football team, known as the Eagles, is governed by the Fédération Malienne de Football and has been a consistent presence in African football since their FIFA affiliation in 1964. Based in Bamako, they compete in AFCON qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds. Mali reached the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in 2013 and 2015, showcasing their growing competitiveness on the continent. The team has produced talented players who have excelled in European leagues, including Seydou Keita, who had a distinguished career at Barcelona and Valencia, and Salif Keita, Africa's first Ballon d'Or winner in 1970. Mali's youth teams have also made an impact, winning the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, reflecting the country's investment in developing future football talent.