FIFA international break November 2025: Gernot Rohr unveils an expanded squad with new faces

Ahead of the November international break, Benin’s coach, Gernot Rohr, has called up an extended squad of 30 players. A list made up of the usual veterans and promising new faces.

Benin is entering the final phase of its preparations for AFCON 2025, and Gernot Rohr has chosen to shake things up. The Franco-German coach published, this Thursday, November 6, a preliminary list of 30 players for the November camp. A squad marked by the inclusion of several new faces.

Among the coach’s surprises are Felipe Santos (Araz-Naxçıvan, Azerbaijan) and Adam Akimey (Helsingborgs IF, Sweden), two young forwards who could earn their first minutes in the national shirt. Gernot Rohr also recalled several key players who were absent from the previous camp, such as midfielder Ghislain Ahoudo, full-back Rabiou Sankamo and goalkeeper Mariano Tchinonvi.

However, the squad will have to do without two important figures: Steve Mounié and Cédric Hountondji, both injured. Notable absences that the staff will have to make up for with a careful balance of experience and new talent.

The attacking department looks set to be particularly competitive with players like Tosin Aiyegun (Lorient), Jodel Dossou (USP Valois) and Andréas Hountondji (St. Pauli), not to mention youngsters Romaric Amoussou and Razack Rachidou eager to shake up the pecking order.

Among the goalkeepers, Saturnin Allagbé regains his spot alongside Marcel Dandjinou and young Serge Obassa, while the defence can rely on stalwarts like Olivier Verdon and David Kiki, joined by the promising Jordan Lawson, who was trained in the United States.

The Cheetahs will face Burkina Faso on November 18 in Morocco. A friendly that will serve as a real test ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, where Benin harbors big ambitions.

Benin’s preliminary list: