Inaki Williams scored an injury-time winner to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Madagascar in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Ivory Coast cruised past Seychelles by nine goals.
Elsewhere on Friday, Mali, Tunisia, Zambia and Cameroon were among the winners – although Cameroon suffered an injury scare when Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana went off injured 10 minutes from time.
Premier League trio Ibrahim Sangare, Simon Adringa and Hamed Traore scored for Ivory Coast, while Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore were also on the scoresheet for their national teams.
Africa is guaranteed nine qualifiers for the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with all group winners having booked a place at the tournament.
Ghana take it slow
The Black Stars looked set for an upset in Kumasi, with Melvin Adrien inspiring in the Madagascar goal, until Athletic Bilbao forward Williams headed home Gideon Mensah’s cross in the 96th minute.
Adrien, who plays in France’s fourth division, made saves to deny Williams, Majid Assimeru and West Ham midfielder Mohamed Quds in the second half.
And the islanders, 48 places below the Black Stars in the world rankings, might even have won it late on as El Hadary Raheriniaina fired over and captain Njiva Rakotoharimalala’s header came back from the left upright.
Ghana, managed by Chris Hughton, played in the 2022 finals in Qatar but are second in Group I behind Mali.
Onana injury horror
![Andre Onana plays football for Cameroon](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/BEF5/production/_131758884_gettyimages-1245048365.jpg)
![Andre Onana plays football for Cameroon](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/BEF5/production/_131758884_gettyimages-1245048365.jpg)
Cameroon Rhythm Mauritius 3-0 in the Group D opener with Brentford striker Brian Bumo opening the scoring just before half-time.
Goals from Georges-Kevin N’Koudou and Frank Magrinde sealed the victory for the Indomitable Lions.
However, there will be some concern for Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who went off injured in the 81st minute. Cameroon will face Libya on Tuesday.
Somewhere else, Ivory Coast – the hosts of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations – shocked Seychelles 9-0 in a one-sided Group F encounter in Abidjan.
A Sebastien Haller penalty on 20 minutes started the battle with Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangare on target four minutes later.
There were two goals apiece for Karim Konate and Hamed Traore with Simon Adringa, Seko Fofana and Jean-Philippe Krasso also on the scoresheet.
Yes she had to work hard for her 3-1 win Chad in Group I, securing victory thanks to goals from Kamori Dubia, Yusufou Niakate and Ibrahima Sissoko.
Meanwhile, Leicester City striker Patson Daka scored twice Zambia came from behind to strike Congo 4-2 in their Group E opener in Ndola, with former Rangers striker Fashion Sakala also on the scoresheet for the Chipolopolo.
Veteran striker Youssef Msakhni was among the targets Tunisia secured a comfortable 4-0 win Sao Tome and Principe at the start of their Group H campaign.
Seyduba Cisse scored for Guinea in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Ethniki Sili a 2-1 home win Uganda.
This Group G victory in Berkane, Morocco, moves the West Africans level on three points with Algeria and Mozambique.
Libya kicked off their Group D campaign with a 1-0 away win against Esvatiniwith the game being staged in Nelspruit, South Africa and Comoros Rhythm Central African Republic 4-2 at Moroni in Group A.
In group H, Malawi opened 1-0 away from home Liberia and Burkina Faso came from behind to equalize 1-1 with Guinea-Bissau in their first game in Group A thanks to an equalizer from Aston Villa’s Bertrand Traore.
Seventeen African nations were forced to play their home qualifiers at neutral venues, either because they lack international-standard pitches or for security reasons.
There are three more first-round games on Saturday with African champions Senegal at home to South Sudan. Before that, South Africa will host Benin and Niger will face Tanzania.
The results of Friday’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers
- Burkina Faso 1-1 Guinea-Bissau (Group A)
- Cameroon 3-0 Mauritius (Group D)
- Esvatini 0-1 Libya (Group D)
- Zambia 4-2 Congo Brazzaville (Group E)
- Guinea 2-1 Uganda (Group G)
- Ivory Coast 9-0 Seychelles (Group F)
- Liberia 0-1 Malawi (Group H)
- Tunisia 4-0 Sao Tome and Principe (Group H)
- Comoros 4-2 Central African Republic (Group I)
- Ghana 1-0 Madagascar (Group I)
- Yes 3-1 Chad (Group I)