2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Sports Minister charges Black Stars to aim for the ultimate

Minister of Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, has challenged the Black Stars to set their sights on reaching the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup should they secure qualification.

Ghana boosted their chances of making a fifth appearance at the global showpiece with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali on Monday night at the Accra Sports Stadium, just days after being held 1-1 by Chad.

The win pushed the four-time African champions to 19 points at the top of Group I, with Otto Addo’s side now just one victory away from sealing qualification for the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Speaking to Woezor TV, Adams — who also serves as the MP for Buem Constituency — urged the Black Stars to surpass their historic 2010 quarter-final run in South Africa.

“The Black Stars must aim at playing in the final of the 2026 World Cup if the team qualify. We must aim to better the performance we achieved in South Africa. The President [John Mahama] has brought some goodwill to the country, and I strongly believe that we have the best players to make that history,” Adams said.

The Black Stars continue their qualifying campaign in October, when they visit the Central African Republic before wrapping up at home against Comoros.