We Are Targeting World Cup 2026 Appearance, Irrespective of AFCON Disappointment – Kamaldeen Sulemana
In the wake of Ghana's AFCON 2023 exit disappointment, winger Kamaldeen Sulemana vowed that the Black Stars will come back stronger with a resolute intent to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Southampton forward commented on the country's frustrations in a recent interview while expressing both regret over the AFCON performance and optimism for the future.
Ghana's 2023 AFCON campaign, which was hosted by Côte d'Ivoire, was a national disappointment. The Black Stars were eliminated from the group stage after losing all their games, drawing with Egypt and Mozambique and losing narrowly to Cape Verde. It was a hard pill to swallow for a nation with so much footballing heritage and fervent support.
Kamaldeen Sulemana, one of the players, conceded the disappointment but also urged fans not to give up hope. "We disappointed the nation, and we know how people felt," he said. "AFCON was a disaster, no question, but it's also a lesson. We have to take responsibility and use this experience to drive our ambition for the World Cup."
At just 22, Sulemana is already graded as one of Ghana's brightest stars. With his pace, ball control, and creativity, he represents a new generation of players who aspire to restore Ghana's glory on the international stage. The Black Stars have not progressed beyond the group stage of a major tournament since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, when they famously reached the quarterfinals.
"Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is not just a target—it's a mission," Sulemana told us. "We're about to bring back the pride. Everyone in the team knows what is at stake. The fans deserve it, and we are working hard, mentally and physically, to do it."
The path to the 2026 World Cup to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico will not be easy. The African qualification games are notoriously tight, with only the group winners gaining automatic qualification. Ghana has been drawn in a difficult group, which includes Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Chad, and Comoros.
Despite the tough competition, Sulemana believes that Ghana can make it. "We have the quality, but not unity, consistency, and belief. We shouldn't make the same mistakes in the past—complacency, no team spirit, and tactical errors. It's about putting everything on the line for that jersey."
Sulemana, too, asked for calm and endorsement from the citizens of Ghana. "It's easy to criticize when we screw up and rightfully so. But we do need the support of the country too to elevate ourselves once again. We need our people's adrenaline behind us. The World Cup is a chance at redemption.".
He hinted at changes in the technical team and squad, stating that a new mentality is on the way. "There's a change going on. We're communicating more openly among ourselves, taking ownership. The coaching staff too are changing, trying to get the most out of each player. Everyone knows that the World Cup is a platform that we have to be on."
Next year, Ghana's second round of qualifiers will resume in June, and Sulemana is hopeful. "We're not concerned about AFCON anymore. We've analyzed what went wrong. Now, it's about moving forward. The World Cup is beckoning, and we're coming with everything we have."
For a country that lives and breathes football, qualification to the 2026 World Cup would be more than sporting victory—it would be national redemption. And for Kamaldeen Sulemana, it's a chance to turn sorrow into hope.
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d Cup 2026 Appearance, Irrespective of AFCON Disappointment – Kamaldeen Sulemana
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