2026 World Cup Playoffs: Crisis Deepens In Cameroon Camp

2026 World Cup Playoffs: Crisis Deepens In Cameroon Camp

Sampson Adedeji

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon are facing internal turmoil ahead of their 2026 World Cup playoff campaign, as reports of dressing room division and administrative conflict continue to unsettle the team, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Cameroon finished second in Group D behind Cape Verde, forcing them into the playoffs.

However, despite their qualification, the atmosphere around the squad has turned toxic following an explosive report by CamerounWeb, which alleged growing discord involving goalkeeper André Onana and several senior players.

According to the report, Onana who was surprisingly named captain for the matches against Mauritius and Angola has been at the center of a leadership dispute.

While Cameroon managed a 2–0 win over Mauritius, they followed it up with a disappointing goalless draw against Angola in Yaoundé, prompting further scrutiny.

Tensions reportedly erupted during a team meeting between head coach Marc Brys and key players including Vincent Aboubakar, Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Zambo Anguissa, Christian Bassogog, and Eric Choupo-Moting.

The senior players questioned Brys’ decision to hand the armband to Onana, leading to a heated confrontation marked by insults and shouting.

The situation allegedly escalated when Onana, after the meeting, reached out to government contacts who then instructed Brys to retain him as captain further deepening divisions within the camp.

The ongoing feud reflects the broader power struggle between the Cameroonian Ministry of Sports and the country’s Football Federation (FECAFOOT), led by Samuel Eto’o. Since the government controversially appointed Brys without FECAFOOT’s consent, relations between the two bodies have deteriorated, with Eto’o and Brys frequently clashing in public.

Eto’o’s tenure has not been without controversy either. Shortly after assuming office in 2022, he dismissed then-coach Toni Conceição and replaced him with his former teammate Rigobert Song, a move that drew sharp criticism.

As the playoff window approaches, the Indomitable Lions’ internal discord threatens to derail their World Cup ambitions.

With less than a month left before the decisive continental playoff, Cameroon’s preparation appears clouded by leadership uncertainty and administrative chaos raising doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level.