The Burkina Faso national football team

The Burkina Faso national football team (French: Equipe nationale de football du Burkina Faso), represents Burkina Faso in men's international football and is controlled by the Burkinabe Football Federation. They were known as the Upper Volta national football team until 1984, when Upper Volta became Burkina Faso. They finished fourth in the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations, when they hosted the tournament. Their best ever finish in the tournament was the 2013 edition, reaching the final.

History

Their first international match was played on April 13, 1960 in the Jeux de la Communaute in Madagascar and ended with a 5–4 victory against Gabon.

The country made their first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978, but it was not until 1996 that they returned to the biennial tournament. They subsequently qualified for five consecutive tournaments between 1996 and 2004, reaching the semi-finals under coach Philippe Troussier when the tournament was held on home soil in 1998.

Burkina Faso played in Group B of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Ghana and Ivory Coast in a three-team group due to Togo's withdrawal. Although they drew their first match against Ivory Coast and needed just a draw against Ghana to progress, the Burkinabe lost 1–0 and failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the tournament. Burkina Faso took part in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, losing all three of their matches and subsequently firing coach Paulo Duarte. Belgian coach Paul Put was announced as new coach in March 2012. Burkina Faso finished first of their group, but lost to Nigeria in the final of 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The team had a strong showing in its subsequent World Cup Qualifying campaign, reaching the final round of qualifying where it faced Algeria. It won 3-2 in Ouagadougou, but lost 1-0 in Bilda. Despite the 3-3 aggregate, Burkina Faso narrowly missed out on the 2014 World Cup due to the away goals rule.

They team would earn third place at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.