Ghanaian defender Alidu Seidu has underlined the urgency for the Black Stars to seal a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting qualification is vital to reigniting national pride after recent setbacks.

Speaking to Flashscore, the Stade Rennais stopper—now fully fit following a lengthy injury absence—said Ghana’s failure to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations makes World Cup qualification non-negotiable.

> “I think that’s the best way to appeal to Ghanaians,” Seidu emphasized. “It’s very, very important for Ghana to qualify because as a big nation you have to always qualify for the World Cup. We did not qualify for AFCON 2025, but we have a very good team, and we have to qualify for this World Cup.”

The Black Stars currently lead Group I of the African qualifiers with 19 points from eight matches. Coach Otto Addo’s men need just one win from their remaining two fixtures in October—against the Central African Republic and Comoros—to book their ticket to the global showpiece in USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Ghana will first face the Central African Republic at the El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, before returning to the Accra Sports Stadium to host Comoros in what could be a celebratory finale.