Ghana's Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage Placement and Host Cities
- Ghana’s Black Stars are on the brink of history, leading CAF Group I and just two wins away from booking their World Cup spot
- Explanation has been offered regarding Ghana’s exact group stage location if the Black Stars qualify for the tournament
- After crucial victories over Mali and a hard-fought draw with Chad, the Black Stars’ direct qualification hopes hang in the balance
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be a historic tournament because it will feature 48 teams for the first time and also due to its unique tri-nation hosting arrangement, with the Black Stars of Ghana aiming to feature.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will jointly host the tournament, marking the first time the World Cup is held across three countries.
Source: Twitter
Ghana's World Cup qualification chances
Ghana, represented by the Black Stars, is currently in the midst of their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
They are competing in CAF Group I alongside Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad. The top team from this group will secure direct qualification, while the runner-up may have a chance through the inter-confederation playoffs.
According to FIFA, Otto Addo's men lead the group with 19 points after eight games, with Madagascar in second with threee points less.
According to the Ghana FA, the team's recent 1-0 victory over Mali in Accra and a draw against Chad in N'Djamena have strengthened their position.
With two matches remaining, including fixtures against Central Africa Republic and Comoros, Ghana is in a favorable position to clinch the top spot and secure a direct berth to the World Cup.
Source: Twitter
World Cup 2026: Group stage draw, host cities
The final group stage draw for the 2026 World Cup is scheduled for December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Once the draw is conducted, teams will be assigned to one of the three host countries: the United States, Canada, or Mexico.
Each host nation will have designated cities to accommodate the matches. However, the specific allocation of teams to host countries and cities will be determined during the draw.
Should Ghana secure direct qualification by topping Group I, they will be placed in one of the 12 groups during the final draw.
However, the exact group and host country assignment will depend on the draw's outcome, wich is set to be known after the December 5 draw.
Meanwhile, the priority for Otto Addo and Ghana is now the remaining qualifiers, as they seek redemption after their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mali to protest Ghana win
YEN.com.gh previously covered in detail the reported plans by the Malian Football Federation to lodge a FIFA protest after their 1-0 loss to Ghana in Accra on September 8.
Extensive information and guidance were provided on the relevant FIFA laws and regulations, offering clarity on how cases like this are handled, including the procedures for lodging protests, the criteria for evaluation, and the potential outcomes for both the appealing team and the match result.
Source: YEN.com.gh
