Africa Sports

2026 FIFA World Cup: Ghana’s Black Stars face tougher qualification road

On May 18, 2023, the CAF executive committee convened in Algiers to announce the alterations to the qualifying process, which will have significant implications for teams across the continent aspiring to secure a spot in the highly esteemed tournament.

After extensive discussions, the committee unanimously agreed to implement a new system that will revolutionize World Cup qualification for African teams. The previous format, which included six qualifying matches, will be replaced by a more demanding structure, featuring 10 group matches.

The new qualifying format will involve the formation of nine groups, with each group comprising six teams. The primary objective of this change is to intensify competition among African nations and increase their opportunities to secure a place in the global showcase.

According to the revised format, the team that finishes atop each group will earn direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This alteration aims to provide a clear and straightforward pathway for the most dominant sides in each group to secure their position on the world stage.

However, the battle for World Cup berths will not be confined solely to the group winners. In an exciting twist to the qualification process, the committee announced that the four best second-place teams from the groups will have a chance to compete for a coveted playoff spot.

This playoff will determine the representative from Africa who will then face off against a team from the Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) region. The outcome of this intercontinental playoff will determine which team ultimately secures a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The changes in the qualification format present a greater challenge for Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars, as they now face a longer and more demanding campaign with the aim of securing their spot in the prestigious tournament.

 

Source: footballghana.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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