Ghana 1-0 Mali: What Black Stars Must Do To Qualify for 2026 World Cup
- Alexander Djiku scored the decisive goal as the Black Stars sealed a hard-fought win against Mali on September 8, 2025
- The Black Stars sit top of Group I with 19 points, having scored 17 goals and conceded just six, with two games left to play
- YEN.com.gh has analysed what the Black Stars need to do to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, taking place in North America
Ghana boosted their chances of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali in Accra on September 8, 2025.
The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Alexander Djiku pounced after Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra failed to deal with Jordan Ayew’s corner.
Source: Twitter
Despite Mali’s late pressure in search of an equaliser, the Black Stars held firm with a disciplined defensive display.
The win lifts Ghana to 19 points, restoring their three-point cushion at the top of Group I with just two matches remaining.
Otto Addo’s men will next travel to face the Central African Republic before closing their campaign at home against Comoros.
In African qualifying, only the nine group winners earn automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup, while the four best runners-up advance to the continental play-offs, according to CAF.
2026 World Cup: How Ghana can advance
The Black Stars are within touching distance of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
With two games left to play, Ghana sit top of Group I with 19 points, having scored 17 goals and conceded just six. The race remains tight, but Otto Addo’s men know their fate is firmly in their hands.
Their nearest challengers, Madagascar, occupy second place on 16 points with a goal difference of +7 (14 scored, 7 conceded).
Comoros remain in the hunt in third with 15 points, having netted 11 and conceded 10.
Meanwhile, Mali are still mathematically alive in fourth on 12 points, boasting 11 goals scored and only five against.
The table shared on X is below:
With the group leaders qualifying automatically for the World Cup, every point from here on matters.
The Black Stars must first travel away to face the Central African Republic before returning home to host Comoros on the final matchday, per Flashscore.
These fixtures will decide whether Ghana can secure a second consecutive World Cup ticket.
A single victory from their last two games will likely seal the West African giants' place at the top of the group.
Even if Madagascar and Comoros win their games, they cannot both overtake the Black Stars if Ghana reach 22 points.
The crucial fixture is the final-day clash with Comoros. A home win over the islanders would effectively shut the door on their qualification hopes.
Source: Twitter
Ghana currently enjoy a stronger attacking record than their challengers, which could be decisive if the group comes down to fine margins.
For the Black Stars, the equation is simple: win one of their last two matches, and they will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
With key players finding form and the team holding the psychological edge at the top of the table, Ghana is in pole position to extend its World Cup tradition.
Anything less than that, however, could open the door for Madagascar or Comoros to clinch qualification in dramatic fashion.
Charles Taylor urges caution
Former Ghana star Charles Taylor has cautioned the Black Stars to remain focused and avoid complacency as they close in on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana need a win against the Central African Republic (CAR) in their next game to all but secure their spot at the tournament.
Taylor, however, insists the job is not yet done and warned Otto Addo’s men against dropping valuable points.
“Ghana has already qualified in my view, but we just have to finish the job against CAR,” Taylor told YEN.com.gh.
“This is not the time to relax or take things lightly. We must tread cautiously because any result aside a win away from home could come back to haunt us.”
“We can’t afford to lose maximum points at this stage,” he added. “We should approach the CAR game like a final. If we win, no one can stop us from making it to the World Cup.”
Ghana have been to four of the last five FIFA World Cups and are determined to book another ticket to the global showpiece in 2026, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
How each Black Stars player performed
In a related report, YEN.com.gh assessed the Black Stars' performance as they strengthened their hold on Group I with a win over Mali.
Debutant Kwasi Sibo, a late addition to the squad, impressed in midfield, while Alexander Djiku earned the highest rating of the night.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
