Mohammed Kudus vows Black Stars will qualify for 2026 World Cup “at all costs” as Ghana prepares for final qualifiers

Black Stars midfielder Mohammed Kudus has emphasised Ghana’s determination to secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the team is focused on qualifying “at all costs.”

Having missed out on this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Black Stars are aiming for a fifth World Cup appearance. Ghana currently leads Group I with 19 points, needing just four more points to guarantee qualification for the global tournament.

Coach Otto Addo‘s side will face the Central African Republic at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes on October 8 in their penultimate qualifier before hosting Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium four days later.

“Obviously, AFCON is also one of the major tournaments that the country loves and wants to participate in,” Kudus told Sports Illustrated. “Not qualifying was a big disappointment, but I think the full focus now is on the World Cup qualifiers. We have to qualify at all costs. I think we are on the right path now.”

Kudus has been named in Ghana’s 24-man squad, which will camp in Morocco this weekend ahead of the match against the Central African Republic. The team is scheduled to hold three training sessions in Casablanca before Wednesday’s fixture.