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Marrakech – Ghana will face Chad on Thursday in a pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifying match at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena.
The clash represents a meeting of teams at opposite ends of Group I, with Ghana looking to strengthen their position at the top while Chad seek their first points of the campaign.
The match kicks off at 2:00 p.m. Moroccan time (1:00 p.m. GMT) and will be broadcast on several platforms. Fans can watch the game on New World Sport, FIFA’s official platform, GTV Sports+, and Canal+ channels. In the United States, ESPN+ will stream the match live.
The Black Stars currently lead Group I with an impressive 15 points from six matches. Otto Addo’s men have won five games and lost just one, scoring 15 goals while conceding only five. Their attack has been particularly potent, averaging 2.5 goals per match throughout qualification.
Meanwhile, Chad sit at the bottom of the group with zero points after six straight defeats. The Sao have struggled in both attack and defense, scoring just one goal while conceding 15.
Their most recent qualifier resulted in a narrow 1-0 loss to Comoros, showing some defensive improvement but exposing their ongoing attacking problems.
The history between these teams is limited, with just one previous meeting. Ghana dominated that encounter on March 21, securing a comprehensive 5-0 victory in the reverse fixture of this World Cup qualifying campaign.
Ghana’s squad blends experience with fresh talent. Key players Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Inaki Williams form the backbone of the team.
Tariq Lamptey returns after a long absence, while newcomers Derrick Arthur Kohn of Union Berlin and FC Nordsjaelland’s in-form striker Caleb Yirenkyi have also been included in the 24-man squad.
Read also: Atlas Lions on Verge of Securing First African Spot for 2026 World Cup
Chad coach Tahir Zakaria Gardia has named a predominantly home-based 24-man squad. Goalkeeper Mbaynaïssem Jourdain, who plays for CSK Dushanbe in Tajikistan, and Spain-based midfielder Mahamat Thiam Maintah of CO Castuera are the only overseas professionals.
The team will rely on experienced figures like captain N’Douassel and midfielder Ahmat Abderamane to provide stability.
Ghana’s recent form has been strong, with their last qualifier producing a commanding 3-0 victory against Madagascar.
Thomas Partey scored twice in that match, with Mohammed Kudus adding a third goal. All three were assisted by Jordan Ayew, reflecting the team’s attacking cohesion.
The likely starting lineup for Ghana includes Asare in goal; Mensah, Salisu, Opoku, and Djiku in defense; Semenyo, Partey, Francis, and Schindler in midfield; with Kudus and Ayew leading the attack.
Chad’s expected lineup features Mbaynassem; Allarabaye, Noubara, Daikreo, Khamis; Damba, Thiam; Tchaouna, Youssouf, Adam; and N’Douassel.
With a win against Chad and another against Mali in their upcoming fixture, Ghana would move considerably closer to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
For Chad, despite their qualification hopes being effectively over, the match represents an opportunity to test themselves against one of Africa’s strongest teams.
Given the pronounced gap in form and quality between the sides, Ghana enters the match as clear favorites. Experts predict another comfortable victory for the Black Stars, potentially by a scoreline of 3-0.
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