The Central African Republic (CAR) climbed to third place in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a 1-0 victory over Chad on Wednesday at the Stade Municipal.

This win propelled CAR past Ghana, who now sit in fifth place in the challenging group.

Venuste Baboula scored the decisive goal in the first half, securing a crucial victory for CAR in a match held in neutral Morocco.

This result significantly boosts their standing and puts additional pressure on the other teams in the group.

Key Group I Matches Ahead

The qualifiers continue on Thursday with ten fixtures, including a highly anticipated match between Mali and Ghana. Otto Addo, returning as the Black Stars' coach, will lead Ghana in this critical encounter.

Meanwhile, Comoros, currently topping Group I with two wins from two matches, will face Madagascar. Mali, in second place, aims to strengthen their position with a positive result against Ghana.

 Group I Standings Snapshot

- Comoros: Leading the group with two wins.
- Mali: Positioned second, looking to capitalize on their momentum.
- Central African Republic: Now third after their victory over Chad.
- Ghana: Dropped to fifth, needing a strong performance against Mali to revive their campaign.
- Chad: Struggling to make an impact in the group.

With the competition intensifying, each match becomes crucial for teams vying for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The upcoming fixtures promise exciting and high-stakes football as the qualifiers progress.