World Cup Qualifying Updates: Ghana on Brink, Algeria Held

Ghana secures crucial 1-0 win over Mali in World Cup qualifying match, including Algeria's draw, and Morocco's victory. Find out how the standings are shaping up.

The win propels Ghana to the top of Group I with 19 points from 8 matches, having won six, drawn one, and lost one...

Ghana is on the cusp of qualifying for the World Cup after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali in their Group I qualifier. Alexander Djiku's decisive goal, scored from a Jordan Ayew corner, has given Ghana a significant boost in their qualification bid. The match showcased Ghana's determination, with Mali putting up a strong fight but ultimately unable to breach the Black Stars' defense.

The win propels Ghana to the top of Group I with 19 points from 8 matches, having won six, drawn one, and lost one. Madagascar trails behind with 16 points, followed closely by Comoros with 15 points, and Mali with 12 points. This victory significantly enhances Ghana's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Unbeaten in 6, unrivaled at the top. 🔝

The Ghanaian Black Stars are working wonders at the African #WCQ. 🇬🇭🌟 pic.twitter.com/dFDSJjWvFE

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) September 8, 2025

Ghana's upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their fate in the qualifiers. They will travel to face the Central African Republic and then host Comoros in October. Securing wins or draws in these matches could seal their spot in the global tournament. With this result, Ghana is now in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup, which would mark their fifth appearance and first since 2010.

Madagascar has breathed new life into their World Cup qualifying campaign with a thrilling 3-1 victory over Chad. The match saw Chad take an early lead, with Yves Allarabaye scoring in the 25th minute. However, Madagascar staged an impressive comeback in the second half. Warren Caddy leveled the score at 1-1 with a composed finish in the 52nd minute, followed by Rayan Raveloson's header in the 69th minute to put Madagascar ahead 2-1. The win was sealed by substitute Hakim Abdallah, who scored in added time.

This win puts Madagascar level with Ghana on 16 points, with Ghana having played one less game. 

In other World Cup qualifying matches, Morocco secured a 2-0 win over Zambia in Group E, with goals from Youssef En Nesyri and Hamza Igamane.

World Cup Qualifying Updates

Algeria's momentum was disrupted after being held to a goalless draw by Guinea, leaving them with a four-point lead over Uganda and Mozambique in Group G. Despite dominating the match, Algeria failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, while Guinea's defense and goalkeeper Moussa Camara proved to be a formidable barrier.

In other matches, Mozambique secured a 2-0 win over Botswana with goals from Witi and Faisal Banga, while Uganda triumphantly defeated Somalia 2-0 with Allan Okello's penalty kick and Jude Ssemugabi's goal. Meanwhile, Libya asserted their dominance in Group D with a 2-0 victory over Eswatini, courtesy of Muad Eisay and Ezoo El Mariamy's first-half goals.

Libya currently sits in third place in their group with 14 points. They trail Cameroon by one point and Cape Verde by two points, with both teams having a game in hand. Notably, Cameroon and Cape Verde will face off against each other on Wednesday, which could significantly impact the standings.

The World Cup qualification format is structured such that the nine group winners will secure direct spots in the tournament. Additionally, the four best-performing runners-up will advance to the playoffs in November. These playoff matches will determine the final team to qualify for the World Cup, adding an extra layer of competition to the qualification process.