Ghana–CAR World Cup Qualifier Relocated to Morocco’s Meknes
FIFA has confirmed that Ghana’s 2026 World Cup qualifying match against the Central African Republic will be played in Morocco after a late change of venue.
The fixture, originally set for El Jadida, will now take place at the Stade d’Honneur in Meknes on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, with kick-off at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The decision follows the Central African Republic’s inability to host international fixtures at home, as its stadiums do not meet FIFA standards.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said the move was also intended to ease travel demands on players who are arriving from clubs across Europe. “Those who play on Saturday will report on Sunday, while those playing on Sunday will join on Monday. This way, the team avoids unnecessary travel and can settle quickly,” GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum explained.
Coach Otto Addo’s Black Stars, who lead Group I, require just four points from their final two matches to secure qualification for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. A win in Meknes would put Ghana within touching distance of their fifth World Cup appearance.
The Central African Republic, however, are still fighting to keep their campaign alive and will be seeking to upset Ghana despite the neutral venue disadvantage. Analysts believe the change robs CAR of the “home” atmosphere they might have hoped for, although Morocco has long been a familiar base for Ghana’s international games.
Mauritian referee Patrice Milazare will take charge of the match, supported by assistants Louis Ralph Fabien Cauvelet and Shaji Padayachy from Seychelles, while Noris Aaron Godfrey Arissol will serve as fourth official. Senegal’s Fatou Gaye has been named referee assessor, Morocco’s Jamal Kaouachi will act as match commissioner, and Nigeria’s Efughu Odochi Joan has been appointed security officer.
The Black Stars are expected to begin camping in Morocco over the weekend as the full squad assembles. With just two games left in the qualifiers, the encounter in Meknes is viewed as a decisive step toward Ghana’s World Cup ambitions.
Source: Pulse Ghana
