Ghana eye World Cup return as Comoros test awaits in Accra

Ghana stand one result from booking a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Otto Addo’s side needing only a draw against Comoros on Sunday to seal qualification.

The Black Stars lead Group I on 22 points and hold a three-point cushion over Madagascar heading into the final matchday at the Accra Sports Stadium. After Wednesday’s emphatic 5–0 victory over Central African Republic, momentum and mathematics both favour Ghana.

The task now is to finish the job in front of a full house and confirm a fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.

A point will be enough to make Ghana’s place in the expanded tournament official, with the finals to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.

The Black Stars have featured at four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022), missing only Russia 2018, and twice left a deep imprint: first as Africa’s sole last-16 representative at Germany 2006, then with a dramatic quarter-final run in South Africa 2010 that still resonates with supporters.

Comoros ensure there is no room for complacency. The island nation have grown into stubborn, well-organised opponents in recent years and have caused uncomfortable nights for established sides.

For Ghana, the fixture doubles as a chance to settle recent scores and to sign off qualifying with authority rather than arithmetic.

On the pitch, captain Jordan Ayew has set the tone. The Leicester City forward has been directly involved in 14 goals across the campaign, a blend of ruthless finishing and smart service that has anchored Ghana’s attack. His contribution against Central African Republic — a goal and two assists — underlined both form and leadership at a critical time.

Ayew and elder brother André, sons of three-time African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele, continue to write a unique family chapter: both have captained Ghana at World Cups, while André led the generation that won the U-20 World Cup in 2009 — still Africa’s only triumph at that level.

Around the skipper, the squad has a balanced look. Mohammed Kudus provides incision between the lines; Antoine Semenyo stretches defences with tireless running; Thomas Partey’s control in midfield allows the wide forwards — including Kamaldeen Sulemana and Fatawu Issahaku — to attack space.

At the back, Alidu Seidu’s aggression and the Salisu–Djiku partnership have given Ghana a more reliable base, with Gideon Mensah adding thrust from full-back. In goal, Benjamin Asare has emerged as a calm presence, turning promising spells into clean sheets.

Addo’s stewardship has been defined by clarity and composure. The head coach, who drew criticism after a disappointing AFCON qualifying outcome, has responded with a qualifying campaign notable for focus, structure and belief.

Ghana have combined front-foot pressing with quicker, cleaner transitions, and a set-piece threat that travels. The message ahead of Comoros is unchanged: respect the opponent, manage the game state, and keep concentration high for 90 minutes.

Off the field, the mood is aligned. Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has spoken of a culture built on discipline and support, while Stephen Appiah — vice-chair of the Black Stars management committee and the captain in 2006 — has praised the squad’s professionalism.

The hope is that institutional calm and a settled dressing room translate into the controlled performance required to complete qualification.

The wider context also matters. A return to the World Cup delivers more than a summer of fixtures; it rekindles a football identity shaped by four AFCON titles (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982), a conveyor belt of youth champions and a diaspora that rallies quickly behind a winning team.

With Africa enjoying a record nine automatic berths for 2026, Ghana’s objective has always been to be among the continent’s standard-bearers — and to arrive in North America not just as participants, but as competitors.

None of that will count unless the immediate task is met. Comoros’ compact block and quick counters demand patience and precision, especially in the opening exchanges.

An early Ghana goal would tilt the evening; an anxious start would suit the visitors. Addo’s selection will likely balance continuity with freshness, keeping legs and minds sharp after a heavy midweek win.

For 30-plus million Ghanaians, Sunday is about release as much as result. The Accra Sports Stadium is expected to be full, the noise unrelenting, the expectation clear: entertainment, control and, above all, confirmation. Win or draw, the Black Stars will be back on the global stage. The simplest route is to remove doubt.

If Ghana play with the clarity that has brought them to the brink, qualification should be a formality. If they drift, Comoros have the craft to complicate it. Either way, the stage is set: one more 90 minutes to turn promise into passage.

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