Ghana’s quest for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues this Wednesday when they face the Central African Republic (CAR) in Meknes at 4:00 PM GMT, in what could be the decisive fixture of their qualification campaign.
Currently, leading Group I with 19 points, the Black Stars are three points clear of Madagascar and need just one more victory to edge closer to a fifth World Cup appearance. With momentum on their side and qualification within reach, Otto Addo’s men will be eager to take care of business before the final Matchday.
Broadcast Information
Fans around the world will be able to catch the action live:
- FIFA+ will stream the game globally.
- ESPN Select will air the match live for audiences in the United States.
Building toward a defining moment
Victory on Wednesday would all but seal Ghana’s ticket to North America, depending on the outcome of the Madagascar–Comoros game being played simultaneously. If Madagascar drop points, the mathematics could work perfectly in Ghana’s favour before they even play their last qualifier.
The Black Stars have looked composed and efficient for most of the campaign, winning six of their eight matches. Their only blemishes came in a 1–0 defeat to the Comoros and a 1–1 draw with Chad, both in September. Since then, Addo’s side have steadied the ship impressively — a narrow but deserved 1–0 victory over Mali in Accra underlining their resilience and tactical maturity.
With 17 goals scored and just six conceded, Ghana boast both the most potent attack and one of the strongest defences in the group. That balance has been the bedrock of their consistency throughout 2024, where they’ve recorded four wins in six outings across all competitions.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Central African Republic Vs Ghana – Probable Lineups
Opponents playing for pride
For the Central African Republic, the fixture carries a very different weight. Already eliminated from qualification contention, Les Fauves approach this encounter as a matter of pride and reputation. Their last meeting with Ghana, a dramatic 4–3 thriller in Accra, remains fresh in memory, and Raoul Savoy’s men will be desperate to produce a more disciplined performance this time around.
However, the odds are stacked against them. CAR have endured a difficult run, losing five of their last six matches and failing to find the net in their previous five. Their attacking spark has dimmed, while defensive lapses continue to haunt them against higher-ranked sides.
Predicted Lineups
Central African Republic (expected XI):
Abimala, F. Yangoa, Gambor, Miambaye, Basse-Zokana, Beyissa, Oualengbe, Gusset, Yawanendji, Djimet, Mafouta.
Ghana (expected XI):
Asare, Adjetey, Djiku, Salisu, Yirenkyi, Sibo, Partey, Mensah, Semenyo, Ayew, Kudus.
Stephen Appiah backs Black Stars to finish the job against CAR
What’s at stake
For Ghana, this is more than just another qualifier, it’s an opportunity to take a decisive step toward their World Cup dream. For CAR, it’s a final chance to salvage pride and disrupt one of Africa’s football giants.
All signs point to an intense contest in Meknes, with the Black Stars heavily favoured to continue their march toward the 2026 World Cup.
Group I Standings
- Ghana – 19 points
- Madagascar – 16
- Comoros – 15
- Mali – 12
- CAR – 5
- Chad – 1
