Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament. This qualification also marks Black Stars head coach Otto Addo’s new record in the history of Ghanaian football.

The achievement comes after he led the senior national team to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by three countries.

Following Ghana’s qualification, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, joined Otto Addo and his family in a thanksgiving service held at the Trinity United Church to celebrate Ghana’s successful qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Today, I joined Black Stars Head Coach Otto Addo and his family at the Trinity United Church for a thanksgiving service to thank God for Ghana’s successful qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The service brought together the President of the Ghana Football Association, members of the GFA Executive Committee, the technical team of the Black Stars, officials from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and representatives from the Supporters Union. It was a moment of gratitude, unity, and reflection on how far we have come as a footballing nation,” the Sports Minister shared in a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter), he noted.

He continued, "As we prepare for the journey ahead, we remain confident that with discipline, teamwork, and faith, the Black Stars will make Ghana proud once again on the world stage".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana on securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.

“Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

“We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.

“See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”

Meanwhile, the Sports Minister, Kofi Adams, has been quite critical and vocal about the performance of Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo.

During an appearance on United Television (UTV) that was published on October 29, Mr Adams noted that, despite the Black Stars’ qualification for the World Cup , he expects Otto Addo to up his game; to do a lot more ahead of the tournament.

“I am happy we have qualified, but that does not mean everything was cool. I expect the coach [Otto Addo] to do a lot more,” the Member of Parliament for the Buem constituency said.

He further explained that the World Cup presents a much tougher challenge than the qualifiers.

“The qualifiers are entirely different, and sometimes you get a superior advantage over other countries and opponents, but at the World Cup, you can come up against the Asians, Europeans, the South Americans, North Americans, and what have you and these countries have a different style of play, so your reading of the game must be different,” he added.

In earlier interviews, the Minisiter mentioned his dissatisfaction with Otto Addo’s performance as Black Stars headcoach .

“If I tell you I am impressed with Otto Addo, then it means I do not know my job,” he said after Ghana failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. Also in an interview with Citi FM following Ghana’s 5–0 win over the Central African Republic, Adams said:

“He’s done his bit, he’s done well, and we give him credit. Despite the criticism of some of his decisions, which I share sometimes, he’s come through as a coach who has been quite lucky.” “Even Otto Addo himself, he wasn’t happy that I described his situation as lucky.”

Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents when the World Cup draw is conducted on December 5.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo’s inconsistencies raised questions about his long-term future as Black Stars coach.

In reaction, Dr Abbey, speaking during an engagement with Asempa FM, acknowledged the public’s concerns but stated that, as it stands, the employers of the former Dortmund coach haven’t expressed their disinterest in Otto Addo’s role as head coach, hence the need to shift all focus on celebrating the feat he has attained.

“From the time we came in, look at the statistics. Otto Addo is the head coach of the Black Stars, and that has not changed. I don’t have any issues with the ongoing discussions. He has a contract, and his contract has not ended. His employers have not said they are done with him. He has qualified for the World Cup, and he must be celebrated for that, but every Ghanaian deserves to have an opinion, and Otto Addo remains the Black Stars coach,” Dr Abbey said.

Responding to a question about whether the committee had identified any weaknesses within Addo’s technical set-up, Dr Abbey replied, “Except God, everyone has weaknesses.”