GhanaWeb Feature by Benjamin Sackey
Ghana’s placement in Pot 4 for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked concerns among some fans about a potentially tough group at the draw scheduled for December 5, 2025.
Ghana has been placed in Pot 4 ahead of World Cup draws on multiple occasions, sometimes landing in manageable groups and other times facing very challenging opponents.
Pot placements are determined by team performance, FIFA rankings, and occasionally geographical criteria. While Pot 4 contains the lowest-ranked teams, it does not necessarily mean a team will face an easy or difficult group.
Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast can host the FIFA World Cup – Sports minister Kofi Adams
This feature explores Ghana’s pot placements from 2006 to 2026 and the groups they were drawn into.
2006 World Cup
Ghana’s maiden World Cup appearance saw the team placed in Pot 4, alongside Angola, Ivory Coast, Togo, Tunisia, the United States, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago.
They were drawn into Group E with Italy, the Czech Republic, and the United States. Ghana advanced to the knockout stage alongside Italy.
2010 World Cup
For the 2010 World Cup, Ghana was in Pot 3, which contained Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Ghana was placed in Group D with Germany, Serbia, and Australia, eventually progressing to the knockout stage.
2014 World Cup
In 2014, Ghana was placed in Pot 2, based on geographical criteria rather than FIFA rankings. The pot included African teams and other unseeded South American nations, such as Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, and Ecuador.
Ghana was drawn into Group G with Germany, Portugal, and the United States. The Black Stars finished last in the group and did not advance.
2022 World Cup
Ghana was placed in Pot 4 for the 2022 World Cup draw alongside Cameroon, Canada, Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Japan, and South Korea, based on FIFA rankings.
They were drawn into Group H with Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay. Portugal and South Korea advanced, while Ghana exited at the group stage.
2026 World Cup
For the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Ghana has again been placed in Pot 4.
Teams in Pot 4 include Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Playoff winners (1-4), and Intercontinental Playoff winners (1-2). The playoff matches will be played in March 2026.
The 2026 World Cup draw will take place on December 5, 2026, when all qualified nations will confirm their groupings ahead of the tournament.
SB/MA
Meanwhile, watch the feature about Swedru All Blacks’ journey from the Division One to the GPL below
