73-year-old Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz has named 28 players to commence preparations for Ghana's trip to North America for the 2026 Worl
73-year-old Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz has named 28 players to commence preparations for Ghana’s trip to North America for the 2026 World Cup.
The squad is headlined by Manchester City’s in-form Antoine Semenyo who will be expected to replicate his form at the club level in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Coventry City’s Asante-Thomas, Bonsu Baah of Al-Qadsiah, Kamaldeen Sulemana of Atalanta Bergamo are all part of the forwards. Lyon’s Ernest Nuamah who suffered career-threatening ACL injury has been able to recover at the right time and was included by Queiroz.
In midfield, the veteran Thomas Partey headlines the position. The Villareal’s midfielder alongside Kwesi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi were selected.
The defence include the return of Baba Rahman who has been out for nearly three years of the Black Stars due to personal reasons. The experience Alexander Djiku will lead the defence alongside Alidu Seidu and Gideon Mensah.
Ghana’s squad for the World Cup preparations
| # | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Asare | Accra Hearts of Oak |
| 2 | Lawrence Ati-Zigi | St. Gallen |
| 3 | Joseph Anang | St. Patrick’s Athletic |
| 4 | Solomon Agbasi | Accra Hearts of Oak |
| 5 | Paul Reverson | Ajax |
| # | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baba Abdul Rahman | PAOK |
| 2 | Gideon Mensah | Auxerre |
| 3 | Marvin Senaya | Auxerre |
| 4 | Alidu Seidu | Rennes |
| 5 | Abdul Mumin | Rayo Vallecano |
| 6 | Jerome Opoku | Istanbul Basaksehir |
| 7 | Jonas Adjetey | Wolfsburg |
| 8 | Kojo Oppong Peprah | Nice |
| 9 | Alexander Djiku | Spartak Moscow |
| 10 | Elisha Owusu | Auxerre |
| # | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Partey | Villarreal |
| 2 | Kwasi Sibo | Real Oviedo |
| 3 | Augustine Boakye | Saint-Étienne |
| 4 | Caleb Yirenkyi | FC Nordsjaelland |
| 5 | Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | Leicester City |
| # | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kamal Deen Sulemana | Atlanta |
| 2 | Christopher Bonsu Baah | Al Qadsiah |
| 3 | Ernest Nuamah | Lyon |
| 4 | Antoine Semenyo | Manchester City |
| 5 | Brandon Thomas-Asante | Coventry City |
| 6 | Prince Kwabena Adu | Viktoria Plzen |
| 7 | Inaki Williams | Athletic Bilbao |
| 8 | Jordan Ayew | Leicester City |
Who is missing?
Tottenham Hotspurs’ Mohammed Kudus was not included because he has failed to recover from his injury on time.
AS Monaco’s center-back, Mohammed Salisu who the club recently announced his return a couple of weeks ago is not part of the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.
Former captain, Andre Ayew whose absence has divided opinion in the last two years was not called up by Carlos Queiroz as he preffered more energetic legs to his.
Joseph Paintsil and Majeed Ashimeru also failed to make the list.
Left-back Derick Kohn who impreesed when Ghana faced Germany in the 2-1 defeat in the international friendly in March 2026 was not included.
Whose inclusion is surprising?
Hearts of Oak’s second goalkeeper Solomon Agbesi’s inclusion in the five list of keepers is a bit shocking considering the fact that he is warming the bench at Phobia. Also, Ajax’s young goalkeeper Paul Reverson has been added to the list of goalkeepers.
Saint-Etienne’s Augustine Boakye who was completely out of the conversation has been included. The talented midfielder has always been overlooked by previous coaches but Carlos Queiroz has giving him a shocking call up.
Who are Ghana’s opponents in the World Cup?
In Group L of the World Cup, the Black Stars on 17th June will open their campaign with a must win match against Panama. On 23rd, Ghana will face England before finishing the group with a tough test against Croatia on 27th.
The Black Stars will meet Wales in a friendly game on 2nd June at the Cardiff City Stadium in Wales. Talks are underway with Jamaica for a potential international friendly match.
Which two players are likely to be omitted?
It is likely that one goalkeepers will be ommitted from the squad as FIFA requires at most, 26 players. Also, one forward will miss the trip, per multiple reports emanating from the camp fo the Black Stars.
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