Former Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has expressed confidence in the Black Stars’ ability to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, however, he has also warned against complacency and emphasised the importance of discipline within the team.

After analysing the World Cup qualifying draw, Agyemang-Badu believes that Ghana’s group, which includes Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad, is manageable. However, he cautions that the group presents real challenges that should not be underestimated.

Agyemang-Badu, who represented Ghana in two World Cup tournaments and was part of the U-20 World Cup-winning team in 2009, said on Akoma FM, “Our World Cup Group is manageable on paper but tricky and dangerous in reality. We have fallen behind the pecking order. We are no more a powerhouse in African football. We need to accept that we have struggled against all those teams in the group apart from Chad.”

“We must hope for a good season and playing time for our players so that it can translate into their performance for the national team. The coach [Chris Hughton] must create competition in the team to eliminate any complacency. He must establish total discipline in the team and not tolerate any egoistic behaviours. I am sure we can qualify if we do the right things.”

The qualification period for the 2026 World Cup is expected to commence in November 2023 and conclude in 2025. The team that finishes at the top of the group will secure automatic qualification for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Ghana will be aiming to make their fourth consecutive appearance in the World Cup, having previously participated in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions of the tournament.

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