The Black Stars have returned home to Ghana ahead of their crucial final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Comoros, set for Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The team arrived at the Kotoka International Airport in the early hours of Thursday, October 9, to a rousing welcome from hundreds of fans under the banner of the Ghana Supporters United, following their emphatic 5–0 demolition of the Central African Republic (CAR) in Morocco.
The victory has put Ghana within touching distance of qualification for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
A win—or even a draw—against Comoros on Sunday will see the four-time African champions book their ticket to the 2026 tournament, which would mark their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Ghana’s qualification journey so far
The Black Stars have endured a dramatic qualifying campaign marked by flashes of brilliance, hard-fought comebacks, and renewed belief under head coach Otto Addo.
Ghana opened their campaign with a narrow 1–0 home victory over Madagascar in Kumasi, a match decided by a late goal from Inaki Williams. The win set the tone but also exposed early concerns about Ghana’s finishing.
Their second outing proved more difficult as the Black Stars fell 1–0 away to Comoros in Moroni in what remains their only defeat in the qualifiers so far. The loss briefly put their campaign under pressure and sparked widespread debate over the team’s tactical approach.
However, the team responded strongly in their next fixture, defeating Mali 2–1 in Bamako, thanks to goals from Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus, in a game that reignited their qualification hopes.
That victory was followed by another commanding home performance, as Ghana edged Chad 3–1 in Kumasi to move back into contention for top spot in Group I.
The team’s most recent result—the 5–0 thrashing of the Central African Republic in Morocco—was their biggest win of the campaign and their most convincing display yet.
A hat-trick from Jordan Ayew, coupled with goals from Kudus and Antoine Semenyo, sealed a statement victory that sent a clear message to their group rivals.
As it stands, Ghana sit top of Group I with a three-point lead over second-placed Mali, needing only a draw on Sunday to mathematically secure qualification.
Fifth World Cup in sight
If the Black Stars secure qualification on Sunday, it will mark Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, following successful campaigns in 2006 (Germany), 2010 (South Africa), 2014 (Brazil), and 2022 (Qatar).
Ghana’s best-ever performance came in 2010 when the team reached the quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on a historic semi-final berth after the famous Luis Suárez handball incident against Uruguay.
Since then, the nation has continued to produce world-class talent but has struggled for consistency on the global stage.
Otto Addo, who was part of the technical team during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has been tasked with rebuilding a disciplined, competitive squad capable of restoring Ghana’s pride at the international level.
Fans hopeful for a grand finish
With the country on the brink of another World Cup appearance, excitement is once again building across Ghana.
