Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Thu 26 March 2026 9:20, UK

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Ousmane Diakite has received a call-up to the Mali national squad.

The 25-year-old has cut a reliable figure in recent weeks with his defensive talents helping the Baggies to back-to-back Championship wins.

Having missed just seven minutes of those two outings, it appears that James Morrison has put his trust in the midfielder to help his side try to avoid relegation.

That has worked so far as he continues to pick up positive reviews, despite not being the most technically gifted player at The Hawthorns.

Diakite’s work at West Brom has caught the eye, and he will now link up with the Mali squad, although it won’t be on the best of terms.

West Brom midfielder Ousmane Diakite handed Mali call-up

There have been plenty of questions surrounding the midfielder ever since he came in from Austrian side Hartberg in the summer of 2024.

His unorthodox playing style rubbed some fans up the wrong way, but he has gone on to be a useful destroyer in the middle of the park in the Black Country.

That hadn’t translated into an international call, with him yet to earn a Mali cap despite making eight appearances for their Under-20s side.

That has changed as of March 2026, with Diakite earning a call-up for the international break with a clash against Russia in the pipeline.

Diakite has recently signed a new deal at West Brom and is now getting his flowers for his nation, but it may just be on a technicality.

Mali boss Tom Saintfiet slammed after naming much-changed squad

It may not surprise The Hawthorns faithful to see Diakite in the squad, but the Mali fans don’t necessarily feel the same way.

Tom Saintfiet has named his squad for a training camp in Saint Petersburg, Russia, but has omitted a number of big names.

Tottenham ace Yves Bissouma is one of those, with the manager mooting various reasons for leaving out plenty of stars from his Africa Cup of Nations squad.

The announcement has been joined by a statement that reads: “They have been declared unavailable for various reasons: injuries, rest, family reasons, etc.”

That has raised annoyance among Mali supporters, who have seriously questioned the decision.

Not that Diakite will care as he could finally make a long-awaited debut for the Mali senior team in the international break.