World Cup 2026 (Q): On the eve of Burundi clash, Gabon on strike | OneFootball

Gabon

The Gabon national team is on strike just hours before their decisive match against Burundi in the 10th round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

This Tuesday evening, Gabon faces Burundi in a crucial World Cup 2026 qualifier. But the Gabonese squad has been preparing for this important showdown in a highly charged atmosphere. According to AFC Sports and Gabon Media Time, the players refused to train yesterday. Aubameyang and his teammates are frustrated because they still haven’t received their bonuses for qualifying for AFCON 2025—bonuses promised by the state that they have been demanding for a year.

"Qualification was achieved in November 2024, it’s now October 2025, and the bonuses still haven’t been paid. The players have been waiting for almost a year. They just don’t understand it," said national team coach Thierry Mouyouma. The players have also criticized the conditions of their accommodation and the quality of their equipment. For example, they’ve been forced to wear the same training gear for several days without it being washed. They even had to cancel a training session on October 12 in Bongoville because of a power outage.

And it’s in this heated atmosphere that Gabon will take the field on Tuesday. “The players’ mentality remains intact. This situation has no impact on their focus for tonight’s decisive match,” reassured Thierry Mouyouma.