Did Ghana qualify for AFCON 2025? Black Stars' qualifying campaign, tournament history assessed

Ghana are considered one of the premiere football nations in Africa, but they have fallen on difficult times of late.

A turnaround is promised, as the Black Stars qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by topping Group I with 25 points from a possible 30.

Before then, fans will likely be tuning in to watch the Africa Cup of Nations, with the tournament in Morocco beginning on December 21.

AllSportsPeople examines Ghana's interests in the competition, their AFCON history, and what happened in the 2025 qualifying period.

MORE: A full overview of the 2025/26 AFCON tournament schedule and bracket

Did Ghana qualify for AFCON 2025?

For the first time 2004, Ghana did not qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars have experienced a steady decline in their international performances, particularly at AFCON. Following a run of six straight AFCON tournaments reaching at least the semifinals from 2008 to 2017, they were eliminated in the Round of 16 in 2019 followed by a pair of group-stage exits in 2021 and 2023.

Then, in 2025, Ghana failed to qualify altogether — a massive disappointment. However, coach Otto Addo managed to keep his job thanks to his push for World Cup qualification, which saw them successfully secure a spot at next year's finals in North America. They were drawn into Group L, alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.

The recent slide has seen Ghana slip down the FIFA rankings. They are currently 72nd in the world, close to their five-year low (77th, coming in late 2024 after failing to qualify). This time four years ago, Ghana were ranked 58th in the world, and were consistently in the 40s through 2019 and 2020.

Their highest ever position was 14th, which they first achieved in 1996 and then again in 2008.

MORE: Who has qualified for AFCON 2025? A full list of those who made it, and those who fell short

Ghana schedule, results in AFCON 2025 qualifying

To qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, teams eyed a top-two place in their qualification group.

Ghana were drawn into Group F alongside Angola (FIFA-ranked #89), Sudan (#118), and Niger (#109). It should have been elementary for a team with the history and talent of Ghana to progress.

Instead, the Black Stars shockingly finished bottom of the group, failing to win any of their six matches, drawing three and losing three.

AFCON 2025 qualifying Group F standings

Group F results

Ghana history at Africa Cup of Nations

Ghana have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, but all four occasions were in the early decades of the competition. They have not lifted the trophy since 1982.

Since joining CAF in the early 1960s, Ghana have failed to qualify for the tournament on nine occasions, but only twice since 1992 — once in 2004, and again in 2025.

MORE: Who has won the most AFCON titles in history?