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The final matchday of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers delivered high drama and national pride for Ghana and Burkina Faso.
On Sunday night, the Black Stars of Ghana secured their ticket to the United States, Mexico, and Canada with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros.
Just hours before, the Stallions of Burkina Faso kept their qualification hopes alive with a dominant 3-1 home win against Ethiopia.
Ghana's Fifth World Cup Journey
For the Black Stars, it was a moment of redemption and a reaffirmation of their place among Africa's footballing elite.
After a slow start to the qualifiers, head coach Otto Addo revitalized the squad, culminating in a tense showdown at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The first half was a frustrating affair, with a resilient Comoros defense neutralizing Ghana's attacking threats.
However, the second half brought renewed aggression. The decisive moment came in the 47th minute when Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Tottenham Hotspur star Mohammed Kudus, who coolly converted the chance.
The goal sent the packed stadium into raptures and secured Ghana's top spot in Group I with 25 points, making them the first West African nation to qualify for the tournament. This will be Ghana's fifth appearance at the World Cup, a testament to the team's resilience and star power.
Attention now turns to the December 5, 2025, draw in Washington, D.C., where the Black Stars will learn their group-stage opponents.
Burkina Faso's Play-off Hope
In Ouagadougou, the atmosphere was just as electric as the Stallions of Burkina Faso battled for a runner-up spot in Group A.
Facing a determined Ethiopian side, Burkina Faso needed to win convincingly to improve their chances of making it into the African play-offs.
After a goalless first half despite dominating possession, the Stallions found their rhythm in the second half.
Goals from Pierre Landy Kabore and Josué Tiendrebeogo put them in a commanding position. Though Ethiopia's Biniyam Ayten managed to pull one back, Kabore scored his second goal in added time to seal the 3-1 victory.
This crucial win cements Burkina Faso's position as runners-up in Group A, keeping their dream of a maiden World Cup appearance alive.
The team, now sitting comfortably among the best second-placed sides, will anxiously await the final standings to see if they have done enough to secure a spot in the play-offs.
The Road Ahead
A fifth #FIFAWorldCup for Ghana!@aramco | #WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/34NwD0Pb6o
For Ghana, the next step is preparation and tactical fine-tuning ahead of the December draw.
For Burkina Faso, it's a tense waiting game, with their fate hinging on the final results across the other qualifying groups.
Regardless of the outcome, both nations have given their fans a campaign to remember, full of passion, drama, and moments of pure footballing brilliance.
The African continent will be well-represented in the 2026 World Cup, with Ghana leading the charge.