The Baba Yara Sports Stadium will no longer be designated as the venue for Ghana’s matches in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Since March 2022, the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium had been serving as the location for the Black Stars’ home matches in both the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Notably, the Black Stars contested their playoffs in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria at this stadium in Kumasi.
However, for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Black Stars will not be playing any of their matches at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Instead, they will host their home games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at either the Cape Coast Stadium or Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana has been drawn into Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, alongside Mali, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad.
In an official statement, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) disclosed the reasons behind the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to exclude the Baba Yara stadium from the list of approved venues for FIFA matches.
According to CAF, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium does not meet the requirement to host Senior Category “A” matches.
Read the full statement below
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has removed the Baba Yara stadium from the list of approved stadiums for Senior Category “A” matches.
Ghana have been paired with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros and Chad in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This was contained in a letter signed by CAF Development Officer Raul Chipenda and addressed to the General Secretary of the Ghana Football, Association Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq.
‘’Following the one match approval given by CAF for the use of Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round matches under the condition that specific points were to be corrected in the stadium, based on the report received from the CAF inspector that was onsite, we regret to inform you that the improvements made are still not up to the standards required by CAF to host Senior International A matches.
“Unfortunately, the level of implementation of all the CAF remarks in the stadium were not satisfactory, including the quality of the equipment’s and materials used in the different functional areas in the stadium. As a result of the reported situation, we have taken the following decision:
Formal prohibition is made to use the Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in all CAF/FIFA Senior international A matches. The stadium is automatically removed from the list of CAF approved stadiums and will only be approved for any subsequent CAF/FIFA international senior national teams matches and CAF Men’s inter-clubs competitions following the implementation of all the CAF remarks”.
CAF provided the Ghana with their comments and remarks to be addressed in the coming period by the stadium management.
The CAF additionally indicated that in order to ensure that the stadium is approved going forward for CAF tournaments, the stadium authorities should take into account starting a comprehensive reconstruction and refurbishing project. We advise using high-quality technology and materials, modern architecture, current design, and a clear project strategy for the renovations, with a focus on the off-field areas.
CAF further stated that Ghana should note that , in accordance with the CAF Stadium inspection and approval procedure, before a stadium can be re-approved, all the comments and remarks must be strictly respected and implemented and a follow up re-inspection covered by your Association MUST be done by CAF in order to reassess the stadium compliance.
“For guidance, the attached “CAF Stadium Requirements” is a comprehensive document that includes the needs of a stadium and sets out the minimum requirements to fulfill in order for a stadium to be homologated by CAF.
“Once again, we emphasise that quality stadiums are fundamental for the development and progress of African football, hence the regulations and its requirements compliance will be implemented strictly by CAF.
“We nevertheless encourage you to initiate the renovation program and the acquisition of all the stadium equipment in accordance with CAF’s remarks’’ the letter read.
Copies of the letter have since been sent to the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), as the two organisations seek to collaborate to ensure that the CAF-identified off-the pitch issues are swiftly resolved so that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium can once again be listed on the list of CAF-approved stadiums for Senior Category A games.
The Kumasi Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi was granted a “one” match Conditional Approval Licence by CAF and FIFA for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff tie against Nigeria on Friday, March 25, 2022.