The Ghana Black Stars weathered the storm by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after disappointingly failing to secure a slot in Morocco 2025.
The Ghana Black Stars weathered the storm by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after disappointingly failing to secure a slot in Morocco 2025.
2025 has been great for Otto Addo’s side compared to 2023 and 2024. The good performances have not gone unnoticed, with CAF naming the Black Stars among nine other teams to be awarded the National Team of the Year 2025.
Morocco’s senior national team, Atlas Lions, after an unbeaten World Cup qualifiers, was selected. Also, Morocco’s Atlas Cub, the U20 team that lifted the 2025 FIFA World Cup after beating Argentina 2-0 in Chile, is included.
The Desert Foxes of Algeria, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2014, have been nominated.
The smallest nation to have ever qualified for the FIFA World Cup from Africa, Cape Verde, could never miss this category, as they have been selected. Bubista’s charges won the sole slot at the expense of the much-experienced Cameroon.
Ivory Coast, after 12 years, will return to the FIFA World Cup after winning Group F with one point ahead of the wonderful Gabon. Ivory Coast scored 25 goals and conceded none in all 10 games played.
Tunisia secured their seventh World Cup slot after winning an incredible 28 points to be the team that won the most points in the qualifiers in Africa.
Senegal won their last five games of the qualifiers, including an incredible 3-2 win at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa, which helped them zoom past their rivals, D.R. Congo. Senegal’s inclusion is no surprise, as they could easily be the most informed team on the continent.
The Pharaohs of Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah, are nominated due to great performances which helped them secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana Bafana, after being deducted three points and three goals by FIFA for fielding an unqualified player, were able to finish on top of the table after
a 3-0 win over Rwanda on the last matchday to pip Nigeria and Benin. Their nomination is well deserved after Hugo Broos’ fantastic leadership. South Africa returns to the world stage after hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana’s 2025 performances
Ghana in 2025 played nine games in all competitions. The Black Stars won six games; five in the World Cup qualifiers with wins over Comoros, Central Africa Republic, Mali, Madagascar and Chad.
The Black Stars secured an emphatic victory over Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly in London.
Nigeria is the only team to have beaten the Black Stars with a 2-1 win in a friendly game in London, being the only blemish in the year.
Ghana’s 1-1 draw in N’Djamena at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno was shocking, but did not deny them the win in Group I.
The Black Stars’ inclusion is a sign of massive improvement and progress under Otto Addo, who has been under immense pressure for failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
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