Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has expressed confidence in the Black Stars’ chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup but has issued a stern warning against complacency, emphasizing discipline and competition within the squad.
After reviewing Ghana’s qualifying group, which includes Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad, Agyemang-Badu described the draw as manageable on paper but tricky in reality. He noted that the Black Stars are no longer among Africa’s elite, and past struggles against most teams in the group highlight the need for caution.
Speaking on Akoma FM, the two-time World Cup participant and 2009 U-20 World Cup winner said:
“Our World Cup Group is manageable on paper but tricky and dangerous in reality. We have fallen behind the pecking order. We are no more a powerhouse in African football. We need to accept that we have struggled against all those teams in the group apart from Chad. We must hope for a good season and playing time for our players so that it can translate into their performance for the national team. The coach [Chris Hughton] must create competition in the team to eliminate any complacency. He must establish total discipline in the team and not tolerate any egoistic behaviours. I am sure we can qualify if we do the right things.”
The 2026 World Cup qualification campaign is set to begin in November 2023 and will run through 2025. The team that tops the group will secure automatic qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Ghana will be aiming for their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance, having previously competed in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions.
