Ivory Coast vs. Ghana Starting Lineups, Preview

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Ivory Coast vs. Ghana Starting Lineups, Preview

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Sep 24, 2026 1:01 PM ET

Following the 2026 World Cup, African teams will play in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The next AFCON tournament will be played next summer.

In the next few international breaks, 12 groups of four will compete in the AFCON qualifiers to decide which teams will play in the 2027 AFCON. The top 2 teams in each group will qualify for the next AFCON.

In Group C, two African teams that played in the 2026 World Cup will face off on matchday one: Ivory Coast and Ghana. Both teams advanced past the group stage and reached the knockout stages.

Both teams were knocked out in the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup. The Ivory Coast finished second in Group E with six points, which included Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao. In the Round of 32, the Ivory Coast lost 2-1 to Norway.

Ghana were in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, and they finished third with four points. Ghana were the third-best 3rd-place team in the competition and faced Colombia in the Round of 32, where they lost 1-0.

Ghana players react at half time during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between Colombia and Ghana at Kansas City Stadium on July 03, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The last competitive match between the Ivory Coast and Ghana was in the 2015 AFCON Final. The game finished in a 0-0 draw, but the Ivory Coast won the title by beating Ghana 9-8 in penalties.

Expected Lineups for Ivory Coast and Ghana

Ivory Coast

Goalkeeper: Yahia Fofana
Defenders: Ghislain Konan, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ousmane Diomande, Kassoum Ouattara
Midfielders: Christ Inao Oulai, Ibrahim Sangare, Malick Junior Yalcouye
Forwards: Elye Wahi, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Yan Diomande

Ghana

Goalkeeper: Lawrence Ati-Zigi
Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Nathaniel Adjei, Jan Gyamerah
Midfielders: Ronald Donkor, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kwasi Sibo
Forwards: Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Fatawu

Where to Watch Ivory Coast vs. Ghana – Matchday 1 – AFCON Qualifiers – Group C

Ivory Coast vs. Ghana kicks off at 3 P.M. ET/ 12 P.M. PT in the United States. The match will kick off at 7 P.M. local time at Stade de Bouake in Bouake, Ivory Coast.

The match will be available to watch in the United States, Ivory Coast, and in Ghana through select TV channels and streaming services.