The Madagascar national football team formed in 1961. The team affiliated to FIFA in 1962. The team then joined the Confederation of African Football in 1963. This would no longer be possible. Countries must join their local confederations before applying to FIFA.
The team played as the Malagasy Republic until 1975. Malagasy Republic was the official name of Madagascar at the time. A team had represented the state since 1947.The team’s fist win came in 1947 against minnows Reunion. Madagascar hosted the match and the scoreline was 4-2. The team’s biggest win came in 1960, an 8-1 mauling of Congo.
Local tournaments have provided most of Madagascar’s success. The team won the 1990 and 2007 Indian Ocean Games.
FIFA suspended the Madagascan team in 2008. The suspension was a reaction to the government’s interference with the football. The government had taken control of the game in the country. FIFA lifted the suspension after two months when the government reinstated the football association.
Madagascar’s world cup record is unimpressive. The team withdrew from the 1976 competition and did not enter qualifying until the 1982 edition. Despite entering consistently since 1994, Madagascar has never qualified.
Ranked 144th by FIFA, Madagascar has no reason to fear moving up or down.
World cup 2018
Fixtures to be announced.
Find out more