Ghana vs Mali Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Four points separate these two national teams in Group I of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Ghana will face Mali in the World Cup qualifiers. This match can prove to be important for both teams.

The Black Stars are currently at the top of Group I with 16 points. A 1-1 draw against Chad last Thursday was disappointing for them.

That result has increased the pressure on the team to beat Mali at home. Mali, on the other hand, are third with 12 points, and they have recently given new life to their campaign by defeating Comoros 3-0.

Another difficulty for Ghana is that some key players will not be available for this match. Thomas Partey is out due to illness, Ibrahim Sulemana is suffering from a knee injury, and Elisha Owusu is suspended due to yellow cards.

Amidst all this, Kwasi Sibo has been called to strengthen the midfield. Mali’s situation is also not easy, as Ibrahima Sissoko and Yves Bissouma will not be able to be a part of the team due to injuries.

If we look at the recent performance, Ghana can get the advantage of home support and a strong attack. On the other hand, Mali’s biggest strength is their defence, which has conceded only four goals so far, and their attack has also improved in recent matches.

Ghana have had the upper hand in history, but it must be remembered that Mali defeated Ghana 3-0 in a friendly encounter in 2020. In such a situation, this match can prove to be a turning point for both teams as victory will strengthen their World Cup dreams.

Kickoff:

• Location: Accra, Ghana
• Stadium: Accra Sports Stadium
• Date and Kickoff Time: September 9 – 12:30 am IST
• Referee: Amin Mohammed
• VAR: In Use

📸 Recovery work done at the Accra Sports Stadium. 🏟️Focus locked on Monday’s big one. 🇬🇭 v 🇲🇱#BlackStars | #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/2GJhgXJfcA

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 6, 2025

Form:

Ghana (in all competitions): D-W-L-W-W

Mali (in all competitions): W-L-D-W-D

Players to watch out for:

Jordan Ayew (Ghana):

When Ghana take on Mali, the player to watch for the former will be Jordan Ayew. He has been leading the charge for them, scoring crucial goals throughout the qualifiers. He even scored against Chad in their recent match.

Ayew has scored five goals and provided four assists in six games that he has been part of in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2025/26.

🎂 | 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 to @GhanaBlackstars forward Jordan Ayew who turns 3️⃣1️⃣ today 🥳 🎉 Join us in wishing @jordan_ayew9 a very happy birthday! 🎁 pic.twitter.com/U1ZofZb8n7

— 🇬🇭 Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) September 11, 2022

Kamory Doumbia (Mali):

Kamory Doumbia will be the player to watch out for Mali. Doumbia is his national team’s top goal scorer in the qualifiers. He has shown excellent form, including scoring in their dominant win against Comoros.

His creativity and goal-scoring ability will be crucial for Mali’s attacking efforts against Ghana. Doumbia has scored five goals in six games in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2025/26.

Match Facts:

• Ghana’s Home Fortress: The Black Stars have an incredible record at home in World Cup Qualifiers, having not lost a single match there since 2001. That’s a 24-year unbeaten streak in home qualifiers, according to FIFA.
• Mali’s Strong Defence: While Mali haven’t been to the World Cup before, their defence has been very solid during these qualifiers, only conceding four goals so far. 
• Recent Head-to-Head: The last time these two teams met in a friendly back in 2020, Mali actually beat Ghana pretty convincingly, 3-0. It’s a reminder that even with the Black Star’s home advantage, Mali are a team that can cause problems.

Ghana vs Mali: Betting Tips and Odds:

• Ghana to win: 1.75 as per 1xBet
• Both Teams to Score – No: 1.90 as per Parimatch.
• Total goals under 2.5: 1.60 as per 1Win.

Note: Odds are subject to constant changes.

Injuries and Team News:

Thomas Partey, the former Arsenal midfielder, is sidelined with an illness that kept him out of their last match against Chad. Then there is Ibrahim Sulemana, who picked up a knee injury in training just before the Chad game.

On top of that, Elisha Owusu can’t play because of a suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards. They did call up Kwasi Sibo to help fill the midfield gaps, though.

As for Mali, they are also missing some important players. The big one is Yves Bissouma, who was left out of the squad because he’s not fully fit right now. Additionally, Ibrahima Sissoko, a midfielder, is also out with an injury. 

Head-To-Head Stats:

Total matches: 11

Ghana won: 6

Mali won: 3

Draws: 2

(since 2009).

Predicted Starting Lineup:

Ghana Predicted Starting Lineup (4-3-3):

B. Asare; C. Yirenkyi, J. Adjetey, J. Opoku, G. Mensah; I. Williams, Natoyoum Osée, S. Abdul Samed; M. Kudus, J. Ayew, A. Semenyo

Mali Predicted Starting Lineup (4-4-2):

D. Diarra; S. Diakité, M. Fofana, S. Niakate, A. Dante; M. Sangare, L. Coulibaly, A. Dieng, N. Dorgeles; M. Sangaré, K. Doumbia.

Match Prediction:

Ghana have an excellent home record in World Cup qualifiers, with an unbeaten streak that dates back over two decades. With Jordan Ayew leading the attack and a home crowd behind them, the Black Stars are strong favourites to take all three points, especially since Mali don’t have the best away record in qualifiers.

Prediction: Ghana 1-0 Mali

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

UK: Premier Sports

USA: ViX, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo

Nigeria: Startimes World Football

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