Over the next week, players from across the USL Championship and League One will get called up to represent their countries around the world as qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup resumes.

As it stands, Malawi is a long-shot to reach the tournament on these shores.

For Monterey Bay FC’s Mayele Malango, however, the opportunity that lies ahead is one he’s been hopeful of receiving for a long time.

• EARNING THE CALL: The 28-year-old received his first call-up to represent the Flames this week as the side prepares to face Namibia next Friday and Liberia on Monday, Sept. 8. A native of Kinchasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malango’s family fled to Malawi when he was young due to war in the country of his birth.

• AMERICAN DREAM: After spending more than 10 years in a refugee camp in their new home, Malango and his family came to the United States through the United Nations’ Refugee program. The family settled in Lowell, Massachusetts, where the 17-year-old quickly made a name for himself in the local soccer scene, starring for Lowell High School.

• UP THE RANKS: Malango played two seasons of college soccer at Salem State and UMass-Lowell and competed for the Boston Bolts in USL League Two before beginning his professional career in USL League One with the New England Revolution II. More recently in 2023, he joined Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in USL League One and stepped up to the Championship with Monterey Bay this offseason.

At Cardinale Stadium, Malango has made 21 appearances this season, notching four goals and two assists, but his underlying numbers have stood out. He currently ranks eighth in the league with a +5.40 Goals Added mark per American Soccer Analysis, making him the second-highest rated winger in the league.

Now he’s going to get the opportunity to give back to the country he grew up in

“Representing Malawi on the international stage has always been a dream of mine, and I’m deeply honored to be recognized by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM),” Malango wrote on his Facebook page after his call-up this week. “This country is more than just a home to me. Malawi gave my family and me a second chance at life after we fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 due to war. We lost everything we had, but Malawi welcomed us with open arms and gave us the opportunity to rebuild from scratch. That act of kindness and generosity will forever be etched in my heart.

“Now, I get to wear its colors with pride. I’m beyond grateful and excited to represent this great nation. I can’t wait to get started.”

With four games to play and six points to make up to Namibia in second place in Group H of its qualification group, it’s going to be challenging for Malawi and Malango to make up the ground necessary to advance.

That Malango has this opportunity at all, however, is more than enough for now.