The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued this past week, as three New England Revolution players earned call-ups for qualifiers. Mamadou Fofana fought for a World Cup spot with his native Mali, the Revolution’s newest signing Dor Turgeman represented Israel, and Leo Campana traveled to Ecuador to join his country on home soil.
For Fofana and Mali, the journey to the World Cup took a significant blow during this month’s international window. The round of fixtures started strongly for the Malian team, who won their first game against Comoros, 3-0. With Fofana in the back for all 90 minutes, the West African side were able to maintain a clean sheet in a comfortable victory. Fofana played all 90 minutes of Mali’s next fixture against Ghana, as well, but with a 1-0 loss Mali can mathematically no longer top their group.
Still eyeing qualification, Turgeman got some of his first minutes since officially making the move to New England last month. Although the Israeli attacker has yet to arrive at the Revolution training grounds, the striker was able to log some minutes for his country, coming on in the 72nd minute of Israel’s 4-0 win over Moldova, replacing Tai Baribo, who he could potentially face in Philadelphia on September 20 with the Revolution.
Turgeman also appeared for Israel in a heated 5-4 loss to Italy, coming on in the 88th minute. Following this international window, Israel currently ranks third in Group I of UEFA qualifying. Sixteen teams from UEFA will appear in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the top team from each group earning a spot and the runner-up advancing to playoffs.
Leo Campana and Ecuador had already secured a World Cup spot for 2026, as he travelled to his hometown of Guayaquil to represent his country. Although Campana didn’t see any minutes, the Ecuadorian team had a successful weekend, drawing 0-0 in Paraguay in their first match and bringing down 2022 World Cup champions, Argentina, in a 1-0 home win.
As the Revs make their way back from their respective home nations, they’ll channel their focus back to league play and direct that competitive fire toward Toronto FC. Kickoff against the Canadian side is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night at Gillette Stadium.