Sudan players are motivated to qualify for 2026 World Cup – Kwesi Appiah

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Sudan head coach, Kwesi Appiah has inspired his players with his World Cup experience as they aim to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament.

Appiah, who previously led Ghana to the 2014 World Cup, shared his insights and the excitement of competing on the world stage with his current squad.

In 2014, Appiah guided Ghana through a successful two-legged playoff against Egypt, winning 7-3 on aggregate.

This achievement marked Ghana’s third consecutive World Cup appearance and made Appiah the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the team for the tournament.

At the World Cup, Ghana faced a tough Group G, which included Germany, Portugal, and the USA.

They drew their opening match against the USA but were defeated by Germany and Portugal, ultimately finishing at the bottom of the group with just one point.

Appiah has shared his experience with his Sudanese players, emphasizing the unique atmosphere of the World Cup and his belief in their potential to qualify.

“They ask me about the atmosphere during this competition, and if it’s different to how it appears on television. I tell them that I firmly believe they’re capable of qualifying for the World Cup. That pushes them to fight in every game,” he told FIFA Media.

In the CAF Group B standings for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Sudan is currently leading with 10 points from 4 matches (3 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses), while Senegal is in second place with 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws).

Kwesi Appiah and his team will return to action next month for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying games.