Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team (French: Équipe du Cameroun de football), also known as the Indomitable Lions (French: les lions indomptables),[lower-alpha 1] represents Cameroon in men's international football. It is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football, a member of FIFA and its African confederation CAF.
Nickname(s) | Les Lions Indomptables (The Indomitable Lions) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Association | Fédération Camerounaise de Football (FECAFOOT) | |||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | |||
Sub-confederation | UNIFFAC (Central Africa) | |||
Head coach | Rigobert Song | |||
Captain | Vincent Aboubakar | |||
Most caps | Rigobert Song (137) | |||
Top scorer | Samuel Eto'o (56)[1] | |||
Home stadium | Olembe Stadium | |||
FIFA code | CMR | |||
| ||||
FIFA ranking | ||||
Current | 41 1 (21 September 2023)[2] | |||
Highest | 11 (November 2006 – January 2007, November – December 2009) | |||
Lowest | 79 (February – March 2013) | |||
First international | ||||
Belgian Congo 3–2 French Cameroon (Belgian Congo; September 1956) | ||||
Biggest win | ||||
Cameroon 9–0 Chad (Kinshasa, DR Congo; 7 April 1965) | ||||
Biggest defeat | ||||
South Korea 5–0 Cameroon (Seoul, South Korea; 4 October 1984) Norway 6–1 Cameroon (Oslo, Norway; 31 October 1990) Russia 6–1 Cameroon (Palo Alto, United States; 28 June 1994) Costa Rica 5–0 Cameroon (San José, Costa Rica; 9 March 1997) | ||||
World Cup | ||||
Appearances | 8 (first in 1982) | |||
Best result | Quarter-finals (1990) | |||
Africa Cup of Nations | ||||
Appearances | 20 (first in 1970) | |||
Best result | Champions (1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2017) | |||
African Nations Championship | ||||
Appearances | 4 (first in 2011) | |||
Best result | Fourth place (2020) | |||
FIFA Confederations Cup | ||||
Appearances | 3 (first in 2001) | |||
Best result | Runners-up (2003) |
The team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup eight times, more than any other African team, and four times in a row between 1990 and 2002. However, the team has only made it out of the group stage once. They were the first African team to reach the quarter-final of the World Cup in 1990, losing to England in extra time. They have also won five Africa Cup of Nations.
Cameroon is the first and, as of 2022, only African country to defeat Brazil in tournament play, beating them in the 2003 Confederations Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup by identical 1-0 scores.[4][5]
History
1956–2000: early years
Cameroon played its first match against Belgian Congo in 1956, losing 3–2. They first qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 1970, but were knocked out in the first round. Two years later, as hosts, the Indomitable Lions finished third after being knocked out by their neighbours and future champions Congo in the 1972 Africa Cup of Nations. They would not qualify for the competition for another ten years.
Cameroon qualified for its first FIFA World Cup in 1982. With the increase from 16 teams to 24, Cameroon qualified along with Algeria to represent Africa at the tournament in Spain. Cameroon was drawn into Group 1 with Italy, Poland, and Peru. In their first game, Cameroon faced Peru and drew 0–0. They then held Poland goalless before a surprise 1–1 draw with eventual winners Italy. Despite being unbeaten, they failed to qualify for the second round, having scored fewer goals than Italy.
Two years later, Cameroon qualified for the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Ivory Coast. They finished second in their first-round group before beating Algeria on penalties in the semi-final. In the final, Cameroon beat Nigeria 3–1 with goals from René N'Djeya, Théophile Abega and Ernest Ebongué to become champions of Africa for the first time.
Cameroon qualified for the 1990 World Cup by surpassing Nigeria and beating Tunisia in the final round playoff. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Argentina, Romania and the Soviet Union. Cameroon defeated defending champions Argentina in the opening game 1–0 with a goal scored by François Omam-Biyik. Cameroon later defeated Romania 2–1 and lost to the Soviet Union 0–4, becoming the first side to top a World Cup Finals group with a negative goal difference. In the second round, Cameroon defeated Colombia 2–1 with the 38-year-old Roger Milla scoring two goals in extra-time.
In the quarter-finals, Cameroon faced England. After 25 minutes, England's David Platt scored for England, while in the second-half, Cameroon came back with a 61st-minute penalty from Emmanuel Kundé and took the lead with Eugène Ekéké on 65 minutes. England, however, equalized in the 83rd minute with a penalty from Gary Lineker, while Lineker again found the net via a 105th-minute penalty to make the eventual scoreline 3–2 for England. The team was coached by Russian manager and former player Valeri Nepomniachi.
The 1994 World Cup in the United States saw the adjustment of representation for African teams qualifying, from two to three. Cameroon qualified along with Nigeria and Morocco. In the final tournament, Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Sweden, Brazil and Russia. After a 2–2 draw against Sweden, Cameroon lost to Brazil and Russia sealed their elimination. In their last game against Russia, the then 42-year-old Roger Milla became the oldest player to play and score in a World Cup finals match. The team was coached by French-born Henri Michel.
The 1998 World Cup in France saw the increase of 24 to 32 teams, with Cameroon one of the five countries representing Africa. Cameroon were drawn into Group B with Italy, Chile and Austria. Despite drawing with Chile and Austria (after leading 1–0 against them until the 90th minute), a 3–0 defeat to Italy saw Cameroon finish bottom of the group. Cameroon had three players sent off in the course of the tournament, more than any other team. They also had the highest card count per game of any team, collecting an average of four bookings in each match they played.[6] It was also during this tournament that a certain Samuel Eto'o was exposed to Cameroonians. He was the youngest player of the tournament alongside Michael Owen of England. The team was coached by French-born Claude Le Roy.
Post-2000
Cameroon qualified for the 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan, clinching first place in their group which included Angola, Zambia and Togo. Cameroon were drawn into Group E alongside Germany, the Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia. Cameroon started with a 1–1 draw with Ireland after giving up the lead and later defeated Saudi Arabia 1–0. In their last game, Cameroon were defeated 2–0 by Germany and were narrowly eliminated by the Irish, who had not lost a game.
Cameroon started the 2002 African Cup of Nations competition with a 1–0 win over DR Congo. That was followed by another 1–0 win against Ivory Coast, and a comfortable 3–0 win against Togo. These results led Cameroon to qualify from the group stage to the quarter-finals as their group's winner. In the knockout stage, M'Boma's goal in the 62nd minute lifted Cameroon over Egypt 1–0. Cameroon would defeat hosts Mali 3-0 in the semi-final on 7 February on route to repeating as champions by edging Senegal 3-2 on penalties following a scoreless 120 minutes on 13 February, and thereby qualifying for the 2003 Confederations Cup in France.[7]
There, the Indomitable Lions became the first African country to defeat Brazil, courtesy of Samuel Eto'o's tally in the 83rd minute of their opening match on 13 June.[4] Cameroon subsequently defeated Turkey and drew the USA before dispatching Colombia in the semi-final. However, the latter was overshadowed by the sudden on-field collapse of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé in the 71st minute.[8] Medics spent 45 minutes attempting to restart his heart, and although he was still alive upon arrival at the stadium's medical centre, he died shortly afterwards.[9] An autopsy determined the cause of death to have been hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an hereditary condition known to increase the risk of sudden death during physical exercise.[10] The Final on June 29 against France, consequently, became not about the game but rather an occasion for both teams and fans to honor Foé. France prevailed 1-0 following Thierry Henry's golden goal in the 7th minute of extra time, but abstained from traditional post-match celebrations. Instead, the tournament closed with one last tribute to Foé as Cameroon took a lap around the stadium holding a large photo of their fallen teammate.[11]
In the 2006 World Cup qualifying round, Cameroon were drawn into Group 3 with the Ivory Coast, Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Benin. Cameroon led the group until their final game, when Pierre Womé failed to convert a late penalty. On 8 October 2005, Cameroon drew with Egypt 1–1 while eventual World Cup debutants Ivory Coast defeated Sudan 3–1, preventing Cameroon from travelling to Germany.
In Cameroon's 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, the team was grouped with Gabon, Togo and Morocco. After a slow start in their campaign with a loss to Togo, the coach of Cameroon, Otto Pfister, resigned. Frenchman Paul Le Guen was appointed as the new coach after a draw against Morocco. Le Guen's appointment caused an uprise in Cameroon's spirits as they earned a win against Gabon in Libreville, followed by another win against the Panthers four days later in Yaoundé. One month later, they defeated Togo in Yaoundé by three goals. On 14 November 2009, Cameroon defeated the Atlas Lions of Morocco 2–0 in Fez in their last match of their campaign. Gabon was also defeated by Togo 1–0 in Lomé. Both results caused Cameroon to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals, held in South Africa.[12]
The Indomitable Lions were the first team to be mathematically eliminated in the 2010 World Cup, going out in their second group match to Denmark after losing 1–2, preceded by a 0–1 defeat to Japan.
Cameroon started the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations competition with a 1–1 draw to Burkina Faso, followed by a 2–1 win against Guinea-Bissau, and an unconvincing goalless draw against the hosts Gabon. These results were enough for Cameroon to qualify from the group stage to the quarter-finals, where they met Senegal in a close match that Cameroon won 5–4 in a penalty shootout after it had ended goalless in extra time. In the semi-finals, Cameroon met Ghana and won the match 2–0 to qualify to the final.
On 5 February 2017, and after a close match, Cameroon won the African Cup of Nations for the fifth time after defeating seven-time champions Egypt 2–1 in the final,[13] by Vincent Aboubakar's late goal in the 89th minute of the match.[14] As champions, Cameroon qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Cameroon qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar via the away goals rule after defeating hosts Algeria 2-1 on 29 March 2022 thanks to Karl Toko Ekambi's winner in the 124th minute of the second leg of their CAF third round home-and-away tie with The Fennec Foxes.[15] On 2 December 2022, in the final match of Group G, The Indomitable Lions made history by becoming the first African country to defeat Brazil at the World Cup. Vincent Aboubakar netted the contest's lone goal in the 2nd minute of stoppage time, and subsequently received his second booking and dismissal for removing his shirt during his celebration. It was the Seleção's first group stage loss since a 2-1 defeat to Norway in 1998 and Cameroon's first ever World Cup win since 2002.[16] Cameroon failed to advance from their group, however, as they finished third behind Brazil and Switzerland, respectively.[17]
After the dramatic qualification process for the previous World Cup, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon had to wait until the last day to secure their ticket for the AfCoN 2023 (scheduled to be played in January 2024) in Ivory Coast. Despite a relatively favorable draw for the qualifiers, which included Namibia, Burundi, and Kenya (the latter eliminated due to administrative interference), the Cameroonian team faced significant challenges. They struggled against the modest Namibian team, managing a 1-1 draw in Yaoundé and then suffering a 2-1 loss in South Africa. After securing a 1-0 victory over Burundi in the first leg, they needed to confirm their qualification in the second leg to avoid missing out on the continent's most prestigious competition, which would have meant watching it on television. In a packed Roumde Adja stadium on Tuesday, September 12th, the Indomitable Lions secured their spot in the AfCoN 2024 thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo (46'), Christopher Wooh (59'), and Vincent Aboubakar (90+3').
Kits and crests
The Cameroon national football team's tradition color is green shirts, red shorts and yellow socks, colors of the national flag.
Cameroon national football team had long-term partnership with Puma.[18] Since 2022 it is sponsored by One All Sports.
Controversy about sleeveless and one-piece kits
Cameroon used sleeveless Puma shirts at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali, which they won for the fourth time. FIFA, however, did not allow Cameroon to use the same kits as at the 2002 World Cup, and black sleeves were added to the shirts.[19] The 2004 African Cup of Nations witnessed Cameroon again run into controversy regarding their kits. Puma had designed a one-piece kit for the Cameroon team which FIFA declared illegal, stating that the kits must have separate shirts and shorts. FIFA then imposed fines on Cameroon and deducted six points from their qualifying campaign. Puma argued that a two-piece kit is not stated as a requirement in the FIFA laws of the game. Puma, however, lost the case in court, and Cameroon were forced to wear two-piece kits, but FIFA subsequently restored the six qualifying points to Cameroon.
Kit suppliers
Kit supplier | Period | Notes |
---|---|---|
Le Coq Sportif | 1982–1987 | |
Adidas | 1988–1993 | |
Mitre | 1993–1995 | |
Lotto | 1995–1996 | |
Adidas | 1996–1997 | |
Puma | 1998–2018 | |
Le Coq Sportif | 2019–2022 | |
One All Sports | 2022–present |
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win Draw Loss Fixture
2022
9 November Friendly | Cameroon | 1–1 | Jamaica | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
17:00 UTC+1 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Olembe Stadium Referee: Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
18 November Friendly | Cameroon | 1–1 | Panama | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates |
13:00 UTC+4 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium Attendance: 1,500 Referee: Sultan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) |
24 November 2022 World Cup GS | Switzerland | 1–0 | Cameroon | Al Wakrah, Qatar |
13:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 39,089 Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina) |
28 November 2022 World Cup GS | Cameroon | 3–3 | Serbia | Al Wakrah, Qatar |
13:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium Attendance: 39,789 Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates) |
2 December 2022 World Cup GS | Cameroon | 1–0 | Brazil | Lusail, Qatar |
22:00 UTC+3 |
|
Report | Stadium: Lusail Iconic Stadium Attendance: 85,986 Referee: Ismail Elfath (United States) |
2023
24 March 2023 2023 AFCON qualification | Cameroon | 1–1 | Namibia | Yaoundé, Cameroon |
21:30 UTC+1 |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium Referee: Redouane Jiyed (Morocco) |
28 March 2023 2023 AFCON qualification | Namibia | 2–1 | Cameroon | Johannesburg, South Africa |
15:00 UTC+2 | Report |
|
Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium Referee: Patrice Milazare (Mauritius) |
June 2023 AFCON qualification | Kenya | Cancelled | Cameroon | Kenya |
Note: FIFA banned Kenya due to governmental interference in their Football Association |
10 June 2023 Friendly | Mexico | 2–2 | Cameroon | San Diego, United States |
19:00 (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Referee: Kimbett Ward (Saint Kitts and Nevis) |
12 September 2023 2023 AFCON qualification | Cameroon | 3–0 | Burundi | Garoua, Cameroon |
20:00 UTC+1 | Report | Stadium: Roumdé Adjia Stadium Referee: Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
12 October Friendly | Russia | 1–0 | Cameroon | Moscow, Russia |
--:-- UTC+3 | Chalov 40' | Report | Stadium: VTB Arena |
16 October Friendly | Senegal | 1–0 | Cameroon | Lens, France |
Mané 35' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
November 2026 World Cup qualification | Cameroon | v | Mauritius | Cameroon |
November 2026 World Cup qualification | Libya | v | Cameroon |
Coaching staff
Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Rigobert Song |
Assistant coach | Sebastien Migne |
Bertrand Njiguélé | |
Augustine Simo | |
Goalkeeping coach | Souleymanou Hamidou |
Fitness coach | Pierre Ngé-Ngum |
Coaching history
- Technical Committee (1960–1965)
- Dominique Colonna (1965–1970)
- Raymond Fobete (1970)
- Peter Schnittger (1970–1973)
- Vladimir Beara (1973–1975)
- Ivan Ridanović (1976–1979)
- Branko Žutić (1980–1982)
- Jean Vincent (1982)
- Radivoje Ognjanović (1982–1984)
- Claude Le Roy (1985–1988, 1998)
- Valery Nepomnyashchy (1988–1990)
- Philippe Redon (1990–1993)
- Jean Manga-Onguéné (1993–1994, 1997–1998)
- Léonard Nseké (1994)
- Henri Michel (1994)
- Jules Nyongha (1994–1996, 2007)
- Henri Depireux (1996–1997)
- Pierre Lechantre (1998–2001)
- Robert Corfou (2001)
- Jean-Paul Akono (2001, 2012–2013)
- Winfried Schäfer (2001–2004)
- Artur Jorge (2004–2006)
- Arie Haan (2006–2007)
- Otto Pfister (2007–2009)
- Thomas N'Kono (2009)
- Paul Le Guen (2009–2010)
- Javier Clemente (2010–2011)
- Denis Lavagne (2011–2012)
- Volker Finke (2013–2015)
- Alexandre Belinga (2015–2016)
- Hugo Broos (2016–2017)
- Rigobert Song (2017–2018, 2022–present)[20]
- Clarence Seedorf (2018–2019)[21]
- Toni Conceição (2019–2022)[22]
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the friendlies against Russia and Senegal on 12 and 16 October 2023.[23]
Caps and goals correct as of 12 October 2023, after the match against Russia.[24]
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Marcelin Mbahbi | 21 January 2000 | 1 | 0 | Gazelle | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
GK | Simon Omossola | 5 May 1998 | 2 | 0 | Saint-Éloi Lupopo | v. Namibia, 28 March 2023 |
GK | Simon Ngapandouetnbu | 12 April 2003 | 0 | 0 | Marseille | v. Namibia, 23 March 2023 PRE |
GK | Haschou Kerrido | 2 June 1994 | 0 | 0 | Union Douala | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
GK | Patrick Kibiyen | 19 September 1998 | 0 | 0 | Bamboutos | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Enzo Tchato | 23 November 2002 | 1 | 0 | Montpellier | v. Burundi, 12 September 2023 |
DF | Nicolas Nkoulou | 27 March 1990 | 83 | 2 | Free Agent | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
DF | Collins Fai | 13 August 1992 | 56 | 0 | Al-Tai | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
DF | Bawak Etta | 10 July 1994 | 2 | 0 | PWD Bamenda | v. Namibia, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Flavien Enzo Boyomo | 7 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | Albacete | v. Namibia, 28 March 2023 |
DF | Enzo Ebosse | 11 March 1999 | 3 | 0 | Udinese | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
DF | Brandon Djoufack | 21 December 1997 | 0 | 0 | Bamboutos | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Houzaifi Youssoufa | 8 August 1999 | 1 | 0 | Coton Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Saidou Ibrahim | 4 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | Fauve Azur Elite | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Yves Alain Moukoko | 26 June 1990 | 1 | 0 | Canon Yaoundé | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Alfred Benga | 31 July 1986 | 0 | 0 | Les Astres | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Yannick Joachim Noah | 11 March 2004 | 0 | 0 | Dragon Club | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
DF | Che Malone | 23 May 1999 | 1 | 0 | Coton Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | André-Frank Zambo Anguissa | 16 November 1995 | 49 | 5 | Napoli | v. Russia, 12 October 2023 INJ |
MF | Samuel Gouet | 14 December 1997 | 25 | 0 | Mechelen | v. Burundi, 12 September 2023 |
MF | François Mughe | 16 June 2004 | 0 | 0 | Marseille | v. Burundi, 12 September 2023 |
MF | Martin Hongla | 16 March 1998 | 22 | 0 | Hellas Verona | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
MF | Jean Onana | 8 January 2000 | 10 | 0 | Beşiktaş | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
MF | Stève Mvoué | 2 February 2002 | 1 | 0 | Seraing | v. Namibia, 23 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Carlos Baleba | 3 January 2004 | 0 | 0 | Brighton & Hove Albion | v. Namibia, 23 March 2023 PRE |
MF | Joseph Iyendjock | 29 May 2003 | 0 | 0 | Union Douala | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Martial Zemba Ikoung | 18 February 1999 | 1 | 0 | APEJES Academy | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Djawal Kaiba | 8 February 2003 | 1 | 1 | Coton Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Félix Oukiné | 26 December 1999 | 6 | 1 | RAAL La Louvière | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Valentin Beo Bato | 10 October 1996 | 1 | 0 | Colombe Sportive | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Louis Enjonaei Mbah | 1 April 1997 | 1 | 0 | Eding Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
MF | Henry Paul Tchikeu | 20 May 2000 | 0 | 0 | Canon Yaoundé | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (vice-captain) | 23 March 1989 | 73 | 20 | Bayern Munich | v. Russia, 12 October 2023 INJ |
FW | Stéphane Bahoken | 28 May 1992 | 22 | 4 | Kasımpaşa | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
FW | Ignatius Ganago | 16 February 1999 | 14 | 0 | Nantes | v. Mexico, 10 June 2023 |
FW | Emmanuel Dikongue | 3 January 1995 | 4 | 0 | Canon Yaoundé | v. Namibia, 28 March 2023 |
FW | Georges-Kévin Nkoudou | 13 February 1995 | 4 | 0 | Beşiktaş | v. Namibia, 23 March 2023 PRE |
FW | Danny Loader | 28 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | Porto | v. Namibia, 23 March 2023 PRE |
FW | Christian Bassogog | 18 October 1995 | 44 | 7 | Shanghai Shenhua | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
FW | Jean-Pierre Nsame | 1 May 1993 | 4 | 0 | Young Boys | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
FW | Souaibou Marou | 3 December 2000 | 3 | 1 | Orlando Pirates | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
FW | Harisson Djonkep | 8 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Eding Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Patient Wassou | 22 April 2004 | 1 | 0 | Coton Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Ebassa Emmanuel | 22 August 2000 | 0 | 0 | Renaissance | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Joseph Apam | 31 December 1998 | 1 | 0 | APEJES Academy | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Kemajou Dibani | 12 April 1995 | 1 | 0 | Bamboutos | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
FW | Ramses Donfack | 18 October 1998 | 0 | 0 | Coton Sport | v. Jamaica, 9 November 2022 |
INJ = Withdrew from the squad due to injury |
Records
- As of 28 March 2023[25]
- Players in bold are still active with Cameroon.
Most appearances
Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rigobert Song | 137 | 5 | 1993–2010 |
2 | Samuel Eto'o | 118 | 56 | 1997–2014 |
Geremi Njitap | 118 | 13 | 1996–2010 | |
4 | Emmanuel Kundé | 102 | 17 | 1979–1992 |
5 | Vincent Aboubakar | 97 | 37 | 2010–present |
6 | Nicolas Nkoulou | 83 | 2 | 2008–present |
7 | Jacques Songo'o | 80 | 0 | 1983–2002 |
8 | Roger Milla | 77 | 43 | 1973–1994 |
9 | François Omam-Biyik | 73 | 26 | 1985–1998 |
Carlos Kameni | 73 | 0 | 2001–2019 | |
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting | 73 | 20 | 2010–present |
Top goalscorers
Rank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Samuel Eto'o (list) | 56 | 118 | 0.47 | 1997–2014 |
2 | Roger Milla | 43 | 77 | 0.56 | 1973–1994 |
3 | Vincent Aboubakar | 37 | 97 | 0.38 | 2010–present |
4 | Patrick M'Boma | 33 | 55 | 0.6 | 1995–2004 |
5 | François Omam-Biyik | 26 | 73 | 0.36 | 1985–1998 |
6 | Alphonse Tchami | 21 | 57 | 0.37 | 1988–1998 |
7 | Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting | 20 | 73 | 0.27 | 2010–present |
8 | Pierre Webó | 19 | 59 | 0.32 | 2003–2014 |
9 | Emmanuel Kundé | 17 | 102 | 0.17 | 1979–1992 |
10 | André Kana-Biyik | 15 | 59 | 0.25 | 1985–1994 |
Competitive record
FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup qualification record | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
1930 | Did not enter | Did not enter | |||||||||||||||
1934 | |||||||||||||||||
1938 | |||||||||||||||||
1950 | |||||||||||||||||
1954 | |||||||||||||||||
1958 | |||||||||||||||||
1962 | |||||||||||||||||
1966 | Withdrew | Withdrew | |||||||||||||||
1970 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||
1974 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||||||||
1978 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||
1982 | Group stage | 17th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Squad | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 5 | ||
1986 | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||||
1990 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 6 | ||
1994 | Group stage | 22nd | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 11 | Squad | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 4 | ||
1998 | 25th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | Squad | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 4 | |||
2002 | 20th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Squad | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 4 | |||
2006 | Did not qualify | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 10 | ||||||||||
2010 | Group stage | 31st | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | Squad | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 4 | ||
2014 | 32nd | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | Squad | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 4 | |||
2018 | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 9 | ||||||||||
2022 | Group stage | 19th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Squad | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 5 | ||
2026 | To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 8/22 | 26 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 22 | 47 | — | 95 | 57 | 22 | 16 | 157 | 71 |
FIFA Confederations Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup record | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad |
1992 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
1995 | |||||||||
1997 | |||||||||
1999 | |||||||||
2001 | Group stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | Squad |
2003 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Squad |
2005 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
2009 | |||||||||
2013 | |||||||||
2017 | Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | Squad |
Total | Runners-up | 3/10 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 11 | — |
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1957 | Part of France | |||||||
1959 | ||||||||
1962 | Not affiliated to CAF | |||||||
1963 | ||||||||
1965 | Did not enter | |||||||
1968 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1970 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 |
1972 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 5 |
1974 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1976 | ||||||||
1978 | ||||||||
1980 | ||||||||
1982 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
1984 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 |
1986 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 |
1988 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
1990 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
1992 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
1994 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1996 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 |
1998 | Quarter-finals | 8th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
2000 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 |
2002 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
2004 | Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |
2006 | 5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |
2008 | Runners-up | 2nd | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 8 |
2010 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
2012 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2013 | ||||||||
2015 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2017 | Champions | 1st | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 |
2019 | Round of 16 | 13th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
2021 | Third place | 3rd | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 7 |
2023 | Qualified | |||||||
2025 | To be determined | |||||||
Total | 5 Titles | 20/33 | 91 | 45 | 30 | 16 | 137 | 82 |
- *Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalties.
- **Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
African Nations Championship
African Nations Championship record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appearances: 4 | ||||||||
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
2009 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2011 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
2014 | Did not qualify | |||||||
2016 | Quarter-finals | 5th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
2018 | Group stage | 12th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
2020 | Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
2022 | Qualified | |||||||
Total | Fourth place | 4/6 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 14 | 15 |
Summer Olympics
Olympic Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
1900 to 1960 | Did not enter | |||||||
1964 to 1972 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1976 | Did not enter | |||||||
1980 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1984 | Round 1 | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
1988 | Did not qualify | |||||||
1992–present | See Cameroon national under-23 football team | |||||||
Total | Round 1 | 1/19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
- Football at the Summer Olympics has been an under-23 tournament since 1992.
African Games
African Games | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1978|th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
1987 | 4th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | |
Total | 2/4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Honours
Major
- FIFA Confederations Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2003
- Africa Cup of Nations
- Afro-Asian Cup of Nations
- Winners (1): 1985
Footnotes
- Most of the national sporting teams in Cameroon go by this name, including the Cameroon national rugby league team.[3]
References
- "9 Samuel ETOO". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- Campton, Nick (5 September 2022). "The last hunt of Carol Manga, rugby league's indomitable lion of Cameroon". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- Mothoagae, Keba (3 December 2022). "2022 World Cup: Brazil's Incredible Record Against African Teams Broken By Cameroon". Sports Brief. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- Mbale, Philemon (3 December 2022). "Qatar 2022 - Cameroon : First African team to beat Brazil in WC history". Sports News Africa. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- "Top Cards – France 1998". fifa.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
- "FIFA Confederations Cup France 2003". FIFA.com. 18 June 2003. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
- Radnedge, Keir (27 June 2003). "Foé dies in Confederations Cup game". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- BBC Sport (26 June 2003). "Cameroon star Foe dies". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- Molinaro, John F. (21 May 2009). "Requiem for a midfielder: Remembering Marc-Vivien Foe". CBC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- AP (1 July 2003). "Henry bags Cup for France". Taipei Times. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- "Indomitable Lions roar through to record sixth finals". ESPN. 14 November 2009. Archived from the original on 27 April 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- "Africa Cup of Nations 2017: Cameroon 2-1 Egypt". BBC Sport. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 10 November 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
- "Afcon 2017: Cameroon's Aboubakar wins final with late goal against Egypt". The Guardian. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- Reuters (29 March 2022). "Toko Ekambi scores sensational winner to send Cameroon to World Cup". espn.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - Azzoni, Tales (2 December 2022). "Brazil tops Group G despite dramatic loss to Cameroon". The Score. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- Shpigel, Ben (2 December 2022). "A chaotic end to the group stage sends Brazil and Switzerland to the knockout round". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- "PUMA Newsroom". PUMA SE. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- "Fifa bans Cameroon shirts". BBC Sport. 9 March 2002. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- "Rigobert Song nouveau sélectionneur du Cameroun". lequipe.fr (in French). L'Équipe. 28 February 2022. Archived from the original on 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- "Cameroon appoint Seedorf & Kluivert as deal for Eriksson falls through". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 August 2018. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- "Cameroon appoint Toni Conceicao as new head coach". kingfut.com. 21 September 2019. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- "Cameroun : un nouveau de Ligue 1 dans la liste pour le Sénégal et la Russie !". Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- "Russia vs. Camerun".
- Mamrud, Roberto. "Cameroon – Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Cameroon at CAF
- Cameroon at FIFA
- RSSSF archive of results 1960–
- 2010 World Cup ESPN Profile Archived 26 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine