Nickname: The Eagles [Les Aigles]
Fifa rank: 54
Afcon Group: A
Head coach: Tom Saintfiet
Group Stage fixtures: Zambia [Dec 22], Morocco [Dec 26], Comoros [Dec 29]
Afcon appearances: 14 [1972, 1994, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025]
Best Afcon performance: Runners up [1972]
How they qualified: Mali were nearly flawless in the qualification campaign as they topped group I which had Mozambique as runners-up.
The Eagles amassed 14 points, scored 10 goals and conceded just once. Won 4 matches and drew twice.
Realistic chance at Afcon 2025: The Eagles are a tournament team and always hard to beat but sadly, they have never won an Afcon title.
They are favourites alongside hosts Morocco to qualify for the knockout phase from a relatively tough group but can they go beyond the quarter finals? I doubt.
Who is the star of the team? Mali has a decent squad but Yves Bissouma will be the man to carry them through in the tournament with his midfield performances.