Ghana Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After Win Over Comoros
Ghana became the fifth African nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a second-half goal from Mohammed Kudus secured a 1-0 victory over Comoros in Accra.
The win in their final Group I qualifier took Ghana to 25 points from 10 games, six points clear of second-placed Madagascar. This result ensures Ghana’s place at the World Cup, making them the first African nation outside North Africa to qualify. Already through are Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Match Summary
Their breakthrough came shortly after the second half began. Kudus tapped home Thomas Partey’s cross from close range, scoring his second goal of the qualifying campaign.
The first half was uneventful, with the Black Stars struggling to test the Comoros goalkeeper despite having scored 22 goals in their previous nine qualifiers. Comoros had the best early chance when Benjaloud Youssouf headed wide with an open goal, but it remained the closest they came to scoring.
The victory also allowed Ghana to atone for missing out on this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they were surprisingly eliminated by Comoros in 2022.
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Key Players and Performances
- Mohammed Kudus: Scored the decisive goal and remains one of Ghana’s top performers.
- Thomas Partey: Provided the assist for the winning goal.
- Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew: Despite strong club form, they were unable to make a significant impact in the final qualifier.
African Qualification Context
Their qualification was nearly certain before kick-off. They needed only a point to secure their spot, and Madagascar not only had to win in Mali but also overcome a -8 goal difference, which proved impossible after Mali defeated them 4-1.
Elsewhere in Africa:
- Egypt: Mohamed Salah’s team remained unbeaten in Group A, beating Guinea-Bissau 1-0.
- Burkina Faso: Beat Ethiopia 2-1, with goals from Pierre Landy Kabore, and are hoping to secure a play-off spot.
- Niger: Won 1-0 in Zambia, boosting their chances for African play-offs.
- Cape Verde: Could secure a historic maiden World Cup qualification if they beat Eswatini on Monday.
Four African automatic qualification spots for North and Central America are still undecided, while the remaining teams fight for play-off positions.
Africa’s Qualified Teams for 2026 World Cup
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Ghana
What’s Next for Ghana?
They will now prepare for the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America. Qualification marks their fifth appearance in the past six tournaments, underlining Ghana’s consistency at the international level.
The Black Stars will aim to build on this success and make a strong impact at the tournament next year.
FAQs
Q1. How did Ghana qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
A. Ghana defeated Comoros 1-0 in their final Group I qualifier, with Mohammed Kudus scoring the decisive goal.
Q2. How many African teams have qualified so far?
A. Five teams have qualified: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Ghana.
Q3. Which players scored or assisted in Ghana’s win?
A. Mohammed Kudus scored the goal, assisted by Thomas Partey.
Q4. Can Madagascar still qualify?
A. No, Madagascar’s chances ended after losing 4-1 to Mali.
Q5. Who are still in the running for Africa’s remaining World Cup spots?
A. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Cape Verde are among the teams still fighting for play-offs or automatic qualification.
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