In the heart of Morocco’s Le Grand Stade d’Al Hoceima, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter as Madagascar face off against Ghana in a high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday evening. With both teams occupying the top two spots in Group I, the match promises to be a fierce battle for supremacy.

Ghana, sitting at the summit with 12 points, hold a slim lead over Madagascar, who trail closely with 10 points. For the Black Stars, a win would extend their advantage and push them closer to World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, the Barea see this as a golden opportunity to leapfrog their West African rivals and seize control of the group.

Both teams arrive in fine form. Madagascar enter the clash on the back of a commanding 4-1 victory over the Central African Republic, demonstrating their attacking prowess. Ghana, on the other hand, showcased their firepower and defensive resilience by dismantling Chad 5-0 in Accra.

Otto Addo’s Black Stars will rely on the attacking brilliance of Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, and Antoine Semenyo, while Thomas Partey’s midfield presence adds strength and stability. Ghana’s wealth of experience on the international stage gives them a slight edge, but Madagascar’s resilience and tenacity cannot be underestimated—even on neutral ground.

With World Cup dreams on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory for Ghana will solidify their dominance in Group I, while a win for Madagascar will keep their qualification hopes burning bright.