Togo national football team facts for kids
Nickname(s) | Les Éperviers (The Sparrowhawks) |
||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Fédération Togolaise de Football (FTF) | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | WAFU (West Africa) | ||
Head coach | Daré Nibombé | ||
Captain | Djené | ||
Most caps | Alaixys Romao (94) | ||
Top scorer | Emmanuel Adebayor (32) | ||
Home stadium | Stade de Kégué | ||
FIFA code | TOG | ||
|
|||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 122 ![]() |
||
Highest | 46 (August 2006) | ||
Lowest | 136 (April 2021) | ||
Elo ranking | |||
Current | 114 ![]() |
||
Highest | 56 (November 2005, January 2006) | ||
Lowest | 128 (4 September 1994) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (French Togoland; 13 October 1956) |
|||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Accra, Ghana; 11 November 2008) ![]() ![]() (Lomé, Togo; 12 November 2017) |
|||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Morocco; 28 October 1979) ![]() ![]() (Tunis, Tunisia; 7 January 2000) |
|||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2006) | ||
Best result | Group stage (2006) | ||
Africa Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1972) | ||
Best result | Quarter-finals (2013) |
The Togo national football team (in French: Équipe nationale de football du Togo) represents the country of Togo in international football games. The team is controlled by the Togolese Football Federation. They are known as Les Éperviers, which means "The Sparrowhawks."
The Togo national football team played in the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2006. In 2010, their team bus was attacked before the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. This led to them leaving the tournament. Later, they were not allowed to play in the next two tournaments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In 2013, Togo reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time ever. The team is part of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Contents
Team History
Togo's national team was known as French Togoland before Togo became an independent country in 1960. They made their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Stephen Keshi was their coach during the qualifying games. However, German coach Otto Pfister led the team at the World Cup finals. He almost quit just before their first match due to a disagreement over player bonuses, but the players convinced him to stay.
Playing in the 2006 World Cup
Togo played their first World Cup game against South Korea. They scored first with a goal from Mohamed Kader. But in the second half, Jean-Paul Abalo was sent off. South Korea then scored two goals, and Togo lost 2–1.
Their next game was against Switzerland. Before this match, the Togo team and coach Pfister considered not playing. They were asking for payments from the Togolese Football Federation. FIFA stepped in and helped solve the issue. Togo played the game but lost 2–0 to Switzerland. FIFA later fined the Togolese federation for their actions.
Togo's final group game was against France, which they lost 2–0.
Sierra Leone Air Accident
On June 3, 2007, after a game in Sierra Leone, 20 sports officials from Togo were killed. Their helicopter crashed at Lungi International Airport. No players from the Togo national team were on that helicopter. The team players and other officials were waiting for the next flight.
Bus Attack and Tournament Ban in 2010
On January 8, 2010, the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen. This happened as they were traveling to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Three people were killed, and several others were injured. A group called FLEC said they were responsible for the attack.
After the attack, the Togolese Football Federation decided to pull out of the tournament. Even though some players wanted to keep playing, the government ordered the team to return home.
Because the team withdrew, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned Togo from playing in the next two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. They also fined the team US$50,000. CAF said that Togo had forfeited, meaning they left the competition too close to the start. Togo's government said they would sue CAF, calling the decision "insulting." Togo player Thomas Dossevi said it was unfair that they couldn't play after being attacked. The team captain, Emmanuel Adebayor, called the decision "outrageous." Later, FIFA helped to lift the ban.
After these events, Emmanuel Adebayor announced he was leaving international football in April 2010. However, he returned to play for the national team in March 2011.
Fake Togo Team Incident
In September 2010, a team claiming to be Togo played a friendly match against Bahrain and lost 3–0. However, the Togo Football Association later said that a fake team had played the game. Togo's Sports Minister said that no one in Togo knew about such a match. It was found that a former Togo manager, Bana Tchanilé, was involved. He received a three-year ban for this incident. This fake match was linked to a scam involving match-fixing.
2014 World Cup Qualifiers
Togo started their journey to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in November 2011. They played against Guinea-Bissau, drawing 1–1 in the first game and winning 1–0 in the second. They had mixed results in other matches, including draws and losses against teams like Libya and Congo DR. They also played Cameroon twice, losing one game and winning the other. In the end, Togo did not qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Recent Matches
This section shows how the Togo national team has performed in their recent games.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
Matches in 2024
- March 22: Niger 1–2 Togo (Friendly) - Win
- March 26: Togo 1–1 Libya (Friendly) - Draw
- June 5: Togo 1–1 South Sudan (2026 World Cup qualification) - Draw
- June 9: DR Congo 1–0 Togo (2026 World Cup qualification) - Loss
- September 6: Togo 1–1 Liberia (2025 AFCON qualification) - Draw
- September 9: Equatorial Guinea 2–2 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Draw
- October 10: Algeria 5–1 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
- October 14: Togo 0–1 Algeria (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
- October 25: Togo 2–0 Benin (2024 African Nations Championship qualification) - Win
- November 2: Benin 1–1 Togo (2024 African Nations Championship qualification) - Draw (Togo won 3–1 on aggregate)
- November 13: Liberia 1–0 Togo (2025 AFCON qualification) - Loss
- November 18: Togo 3–0 Equatorial Guinea (2025 AFCON qualification) - Win
Upcoming Matches in 2025
- March 22: Togo 2–2 Mauritania (2026 World Cup qualification) - Draw
- March 25: Senegal 2–0 Togo (2026 World Cup qualification) - Loss
- September: Mauritania vs. Togo (2026 World Cup qualification)
- September: Togo vs. Sudan (2026 World Cup qualification)
- October: Togo vs. DR Congo (2026 World Cup qualification)
- October: South Sudan vs. Togo (2026 World Cup qualification)
Team Coaches
Many coaches have led the Togo national football team over the years. Some have been from Togo, while others have come from different countries.
- Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) coached the team multiple times.
- Otto Pfister (Germany) led them in the 2006 World Cup.
- Currently, Dare Nibombe (Togo) is the coach.
Team Players
Current Squad
These players were chosen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2025. Player information is correct as of March 25, 2025, after the match against Senegal.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Malcolm Barcola | 14 May 1999 | 25 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Youssouf Morou | 31 December 2000 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
|
GK | Achirafou Yaya | 26 July 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
DF | Djené | 31 December 1991 | 86 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Youssifou Atté | 16 May 1996 | 19 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Mawouna Amevor | 16 December 1991 | 13 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Kennedy Boateng | 29 November 1996 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Kévin Boma | 20 November 2002 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Sadik Fofana | 16 May 2003 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Josué Homawoo | 12 November 1997 | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
|
DF | Amoudane Ouro-Ayeva | 29 April 1997 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
MF | Alaixys Romao | 18 January 1984 | 94 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Karim Dermane | 26 December 2003 | 23 | 3 | ![]() |
|
MF | Abdoul-Sabourh Bode | 22 January 1995 | 12 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Yawo Agbagno | 25 May 2000 | 10 | 1 | ![]() |
|
MF | Samsondin Ouro | 2 March 2000 | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Jules Aziamale | 8 April 1999 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
|
MF | Dikeni Salifou | 8 June 2003 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
|
|
||||||
FW | Kévin Denkey | 30 November 2000 | 40 | 10 | ![]() |
|
FW | Yaw Annor | 3 December 1997 | 10 | 2 | ![]() |
|
FW | Thibault Klidjé | 10 July 2001 | 18 | 2 | ![]() |
|
FW | Franck Mawuena | 21 November 1992 | 8 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Etienne Amenyido | 1 March 1998 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
|
FW | Kokou Avotor | 17 November 2001 | 4 | 1 | ![]() |
|
FW | Bassitou Madougou | Unknown | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
Players Called Up Recently
These players have been called to play for Togo in the last year.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Wassiou Ouro-Gneni | 14 February 1997 | 10 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Geoffrey Agbolossou | 25 February 2000 | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Steven Mensah | 22 May 2003 | 6 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Fabrice Kagbatawouli | 28 December 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
DF | Gustave Akueson | 20 December 1995 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Koffi Benjamin Holete | 17 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Klousseh Agbozo | 26 June 1994 | 16 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Loïc Bessilé | 19 February 1999 | 17 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
MF | Roger Aholou | 30 December 1993 | 20 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Kodjo Aziangbe | 14 December 2003 | 14 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Marouf Tchakei | 15 December 1995 | 33 | 3 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Khaled Narey | 23 July 1994 | 8 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Adil Titi | 20 August 1999 | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Samuel Asamoah | 23 March 1994 | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
|
||||||
FW | Euloge Placca Fessou | 31 December 1994 | 36 | 9 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Abdou Ouattara | 6 April 1995 | 6 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Mansour Ouro-Tagba | 17 December 2004 | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba | 27 January 1992 | 53 | 20 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Ihlas Bebou | 23 April 1994 | 37 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DEC Player refused to join the team after the call-up. |
Team Records
Most Games Played
The players listed below have played the most games for the Togo national team. Players in bold are still active with the team.
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alaixys Romao | 94 | 0 | 2005–present |
2 | Abdoul-Gafar Mamah | 93 | 0 | 2000–2016 |
3 | Emmanuel Adebayor | 88 | 32 | 2000–2019 |
4 | Djené Dakonam | 86 | 0 | 2012–present |
5 | Kossi Agassa | 84 | 0 | 1998–2017 |
6 | Moustapha Salifou | 77 | 8 | 2000–2013 |
7 | Jean-Paul Abalo | 74 | 1 | 1992–2008 |
8 | Komlan Améwou | 69 | 5 | 2000–2015 |
9 | Tadjou Salou | 62 | 12 | 1992–2004 |
10 | Serge Akakpo | 61 | 2 | 2008–2017 |
Mohamed Kader | 61 | 13 | 1995–2009 |
Top Goal Scorers

These players have scored the most goals for the Togo national team. Players in bold are still active with the team.
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Emmanuel Adebayor (list) | 32 | 88 | 0.36 | 2000–2019 |
2 | Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba | 20 | 53 | 0.38 | 2016–present |
3 | Kossi Noutsoudje | 13 | 40 | 0.33 | 1994–2002 |
Mohamed Kader | 13 | 61 | 0.21 | 1995–2009 | |
5 | Tadjou Salou | 12 | 62 | 0.19 | 1992–2004 |
6 | Floyd Ayité | 11 | 48 | 0.23 | 2007–2022 |
7 | Kévin Denkey | 10 | 40 | 0.25 | 2018–present |
8 | Euloge Placca Fessou | 9 | 36 | 0.25 | 2012–present |
Adékambi Olufadé | 9 | 41 | 0.22 | 1998–2010 | |
10 | Moustapha Salifou | 8 | 77 | 0.1 | 2000–2013 |
Tournament History
FIFA World Cup Appearances
Togo has played in the FIFA World Cup once. This was in 2006.
FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1930 to 1958 | Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
||||||||||||||
![]() |
Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 11 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 16 | ||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 30th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | Squad | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 9 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 10 | |||||||||
![]() |
8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
![]() |
8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | |||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||
Total | Group stage | 1/15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | — | 77 | 24 | 21 | 32 | 80 | 100 |
Africa Cup of Nations Appearances
Togo has played in the Africa Cup of Nations several times. Their best result was reaching the quarter-finals in 2013.
Africa Cup of Nations record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | |||||
![]() |
Part of ![]() |
Part of ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | Squad | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | |||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 9 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew during qualifying | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 12th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | Squad | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | |||||
![]() ![]() |
10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 6 | ||||||
![]() |
12th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | ||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | Squad | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 4 | |||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Withdrew due to rebel attack | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() |
Did not qualify | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | Squad | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | |||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 12 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Group stage | 16th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
![]() |
6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||
![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 8/35 | 25 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 19 | 42 | — | 144 | 57 | 32 | 55 | 165 | 163 |
African Nations Championship Appearances
Togo has played in the African Nations Championship once, reaching the group stage in 2020.
African Games Appearances
Togo has played in the African Games once, in 1965.
African Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
![]() |
Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
![]() |
Did not qualify | |||||||
Total | 1/4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
Team Achievements
Togo has achieved some success in regional football tournaments.
Regional Titles
- West African Nations Cup
- Runners-up (4 times): 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
- WAFU Nations Cup
- Third place (1 time): 2013
See also
In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Togo para niños