TANZANIA national team head coach Hemed Suleiman has named a 24-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Morocco, scheduled for March 26 at Stade Municipal in Berkane.

Taifa Stars will begin their training camp today in Dar es Salaam before departing for Morocco on March 19 for further preparations.

The squad includes several new faces, such as defender Miraji Abdallah from Coastal Union, goalkeeper Yakoub Suleiman from JKT Tanzania, and the return of forward Kelvin John from Denmark’s Aalborg BK. Additionally, Simba SC midfielder Yusuph Kagoma has been called up to bolster the squad.

Notably, goalkeeper Aishi Manula has been omitted due to limited playing time at Simba SC, while team captain Mbwana Samatta will miss out due to an injury that has sidelined him for three weeks.

The squad features six players from Simba SC, four from Young Africans SC, and four from Azam FC.

Speaking about the squad selection and the team’s objectives, coach Suleiman expressed confidence in Taifa Stars’ World Cup qualification hopes.

"Our goal is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. We have a plan, and we are determined to execute it. This is our primary objective," Suleiman stated.

He also referenced Taifa Stars’ previous success, highlighting their resilience.

"We won our away match against Zambia even without key players, including Samatta. We are satisfied with the medical reports from PAOK regarding his injury. The team will enter camp tomorrow to prepare for this crucial match."

Taifa Stars currently sit third in Group E with six points from three matches. Morocco leads the group with a perfect nine points, while Niger also has six points but holds second place due to a superior goal difference of +3 (5-2), compared to Tanzania’s 0 (2-2). Zambia follows with three points, while Congo Brazzaville is suspended, and Eritrea has withdrawn from the qualifiers.

A win against Morocco - a dominant force in African football - would significantly boost Tanzania’s qualification hopes, making this an essential fixture in their campaign.

Facing a Moroccan squad packed with European-based stars, Taifa Stars must deliver a top-class performance. Coach Suleiman is expected to emphasize defensive discipline and clinical finishing to counter Morocco’s attacking prowess.

Tanzanian fans are eagerly anticipating the match, hopeful for a strong display that will keep their World Cup dreams alive. The showdown in Berkane will be a true test of Taifa Stars’ determination on the road to 2026.