Ghana will be aiming to seal early qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when the Black Stars face the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday, October 8, at the Stade D’Honneur de Meknes in Morocco.
The Black Stars currently sit top of Group I, three points clear of second-placed Madagascar, and a win over CAR would be enough to secure their place at the global tournament.
Under head coach Otto Addo, Ghana has dropped only five points throughout the qualifying campaign—suffering a 1-0 defeat to Comoros and a 1-1 draw against Chad. The team remains one of the most consistent performers in the African qualifiers, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair.
CAR, meanwhile, lie fifth on the table with just five points from eight games, leaving them effectively out of contention for World Cup qualification.
Ghana approaches Wednesday’s fixture following a 1-0 victory over Mali and a draw against Chad during the September international break, both played at the Accra Sports Stadium. In contrast, CAR endured a difficult window, losing to Madagascar and Comoros in back-to-back defeats.
The last time these two nations met, Ghana edged CAR in a thrilling 4-3 win at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Jordan Ayew was the hero of the night, netting a hat-trick after the Black Stars came from a 2-1 halftime deficit to secure victory.
If Ghana triumphs on Wednesday, it will mark their fifth World Cup appearance since 2006, having only missed out on qualification in 2018.
Coach Otto Addo is expected to have a full squad available ahead of the crucial clash, with 23 players currently in camp. Twenty players participated in the team’s second training session in Casablanca before the team traveled to Meknes for their final preparations.
The coach’s 24-man squad includes two new additions: Kojo Peprah Oppong of OGC Nice and Prince Owusu of Medeama SC. Both players have impressed at club level and are expected to bring energy and depth to the squad.
There is also good news on the injury front, as Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Alidu Seidu return to the national team after recovering from long-term cruciate ligament injuries.
For CAR, head coach Raoul Savoy has introduced Eugène Ganazoui of AS Douanes as the only new face in his October squad. Several key players — including Noah Ato-Zandanga (FC Wil), Brad Pirioua (Portogruaro), Vénuste Baboula (NK Bravo), and Axel Urie (Sariyer) — have also rejoined the team after missing recent matches.
While Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku have all been in fine form for their respective clubs, Jordan Ayew remains Ghana’s most influential player in this World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Leicester City forward has directly contributed to 11 goals in eight games, scoring six and assisting five — a remarkable record that underscores his importance to the team. Ayew will once again lead the line as Ghana seeks to secure qualification.
Meanwhile, Kudus and Semenyo will be tasked with creating chances from midfield and the flanks, while Issahaku’s pace and creativity could prove vital against a physically strong CAR side.
Ghana will book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup if they:
- Beat CAR and Madagascar fail to beat Comoros, or
- Win their match while the game between Madagascar and Comoros ends in a draw.
Either of these scenarios will confirm the Black Stars’ qualification before the final round of matches in Group I.
The Ghana vs Central African Republic World Cup qualifier will take place at the Stade D’Honneur de Meknes in Morocco on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 16:00 GMT.
As the stakes rise, all eyes will be on Otto Addo’s men to deliver another strong performance and secure Ghana’s place among Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
