Ghana's Black Stars are eyeing a crucial victory against the Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier played on neutral ground in Morocco.
The match will be held at the Stade d'Honneur de Meknès on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, with kickoff at 16:00 GMT. With a strong lead in Group I, a win will significantly boost Ghana's hopes of securing a fifth World Cup appearance.
The path to qualification
Ghana: The Black Stars currently top Group I and are in a commanding position to qualify for the World Cup.
They need four points from their final two qualifying matches—against CAR and Comoros—to confirm their spot in the tournament.
A victory against CAR could potentially seal their qualification, depending on other results in the group.
Central African Republic: As they cannot host matches on home soil due to a lack of an approved stadium, CAR has adopted Morocco as their home base for the qualifiers.
Although considered underdogs, the Wild Beasts have the potential to cause an upset. Their recent form, however, has been underwhelming,
with two consecutive 2–0 defeats to Madagascar and Comoros.
Key players to watch
Ghana: Key players like Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, and Mohammed Kudus have joined the squad and will be crucial for Ghana's performance.
Kudus, in particular, has been in excellent form for his club, Tottenham, in the Premier League and will be a significant threat in attack.
Central African Republic: Captain and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia, who plays for Marseille, brings experience and quality to the team.
He will be looking to inspire his teammates and contribute to their offensive efforts.
Match setting and conditions
Venue: Stade d'Honneur de Meknès, Morocco.
Significance: The neutral setting could reduce CAR's home-field advantage and create a more favorable atmosphere for the Black Stars.
The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 spectators and is a key ground for the Central African team's "home" matches.
Head-to-head history
Ghana remains unbeaten against the Central African Republic in their official encounters, with two wins and one draw.
Their most recent match, in June 2024, saw Ghana secure a hard-fought 4-3 victory in a thrilling encounter.
The pressure will be on Ghana to secure all three points, but the team's strong group position and talent give them a significant edge.