Ghana, who finished top of Group I in the FIFA World Cup 26™ CAF Qualifiers about a month ago, have booked their place at the World Cup for a fifth time — and for the second successive tournament. In their final game, at home to Comoros, the Black Stars only needed a draw to secure qualification. But head coach Otto ADDO insisted he wanted “to finish the qualifiers with a win,” and his side delivered, sealing a 1–0 victory thanks to a decisive strike from Mohammed KUDUS (Tottenham Hotspur/England).

The campaign didn’t begin smoothly. Starting in November 2023, Ghana found themselves caught out early on by surprise opponents. They scraped a 1–0 win over Madagascar with a stoppage-time goal in their opener, only to fall 0–1 to Comoros in the next match — a shock defeat for a side ranked 60th in the FIFA World Ranking against one sitting 128th. That setback prompted the Ghana Football Association to act, reinstating Otto Addo, who had led the team at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Under his renewed leadership, Ghana found their rhythm, going unbeaten thereafter with seven wins and one draw to comfortably claim top spot in their group and automatic qualification.

Compared with Africa’s other footballing heavyweights, Ghana were late bloomers on the world stage, making their World Cup debut at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™. Yet they made an instant impression, advancing to the Round of 16 — with Addo himself playing in that side. Four years later, at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, they reached the quarter-finals and were cruelly denied a semi-final place by Uruguay after a dramatic penalty shootout. At Qatar 2022, Ghana earned a win over Korea Republic but losses to Portugal and Uruguay meant they missed out on progressing to the knockout rounds.

In this qualifying campaign, Ghana built their success on solid defensive organisation and rapid transitions from back to front. Up front, familiar names from the tournament in Qatar — Jordan AYEW (Leicester City/England), Antoine SEMENYO (AFC Bournemouth/England), and Kudus — led a powerful attack, with Ayew finishing as the team’s top scorer with seven goals. From midfield, Thomas PARTEY (Villarreal CF/Spain) also contributed, pushing forward effectively to net three times.

Nicknamed the “Black Stars” after the black star that adorns the centre of their national flag, Ghana hold a unique place in Japanese football history. They were the first African team Japan ever faced — a 3–2 Ghana win at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, more than 60 years ago. Since then, the two nations have met eight times, the most frequent fixture between Japan and any African side. The most recent encounter came in June 2022 at the Kirin Cup Soccer 2022, where Japan ran out 4–1 winners thanks in part to KUBO Takefusa’s first senior international goal for the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team). Reflecting on that match, Japan boss MORIYASU Hajime recalled that Ghana “left a strong impression with the way they played, showing outstanding athleticism characteristic of African sides.”

Results of last 5 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan

3 wins 5 loses (14 goals, 18 against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: 4
※Achieved its independence from Great Britain in 1957
(Became a FIFA member in 1958)

1962　Eliminated in the qualifier
1966　Did not participate
1970　Eliminated in the qualifier
1974　Eliminated in the qualifier
1978　Eliminated in the qualifier
1982　Did not participate
1986　Eliminated in the qualifier
1990　Eliminated in the qualifier
1994　Eliminated in the qualifier
1998　Eliminated in the qualifier
2002　Eliminated in the qualifier
2006　Round of 16
2010　Quarterfinals
2014　Group stage
2018　Eliminated in the qualifier
2022　Group stage

Data on the opposing country

◇FIFA Rankings (as of 18 September 2025): 75th
◇Record against Japan: 3 wins 5 loses (14 goals, 18 against)

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