Rwanda’s Football Future: A New Vision After World Cup Miss
After missing out on a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) has outlined a clear plan to rebuild the national team from the grassroots. FERWAFA president Fabrice Shema has emphasized the importance of long-term development and investment in youth football to ensure the country’s future success.
Shema recently traveled with the Amavubi squad to South Africa for a crucial World Cup qualifying match against Bafana Bafana. The game was particularly significant after Rwanda suffered a defeat against Benin on October 10, which ended their hopes of advancing to the tournament. This loss highlighted the challenges faced by the national team, especially under the current coaching setup.
Since taking office in August, Shema has introduced several reforms aimed at revitalizing Rwandan football. One of his key initiatives has been increasing prize money for clubs, players, and coaches to improve performance on the pitch. However, his biggest challenge remains finding a way to bring the Amavubi back to the big stage by qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations, which the country last participated in during 2004.
The Road to Recovery
Six to eight months ago, the Amavubi were in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup under the guidance of Torsten Spittler. However, his departure marked the beginning of a series of poor results under his successor, Adel Amrouche. The recent defeat against Benin raised questions about Amrouche’s tactics, with some critics, including Samuel Guelette, expressing concerns over his approach.
Amrouche, who has faced criticism for his unconvincing statistics, acknowledged the difficulty of the loss but urged the federation to focus on developing young talent. “If you want to play in such a big tournament, you need to prepare your things from the ground up,” he stated in a post-match press conference. “It is not about changing the coach, president, or manager like a lottery. It is impossible without young players.”
He also pointed out that the technical director had failed to find a 17-year-old player for the national team, emphasizing the need for more youth competitions and a stronger league system.
Shema’s Commitment to Youth Development
Shema recognized the importance of investing in young players and preparing them for the future national team. “We want to build a strong foundation of our football so we can have enough young players and make sure they play a lot of competitions until they are ready to play for the senior national team,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed the need to bring new faces into the senior team. “Rwanda will play the FIFA series against countries from across the world, and we hope some new players can seize such an opportunity and impress during these matches,” he added.
Current Standing and Future Prospects
Currently, Rwanda is fourth in Group C with 11 points. They will face South Africa, who are second with 15 points, in their final World Cup qualifying match. With Amavubi out of contention, three teams—Benin, Nigeria, and South Africa—still have a chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
As the nation reflects on its recent performance, the focus remains on rebuilding a strong football culture that can support both the national team and the broader football ecosystem. With Shema’s vision and commitment to youth development, there is hope that Rwanda can once again rise to prominence on the international stage.