Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Ghana topped CAF Group I with 25 points from 10 matches — eight wins, one draw, one loss — and finished with a goal difference of plus-17. Their qualification was confirmed on the final matchday, with Kudus scoring the decisive goal against Comoros on October 12, 2025. Twenty-three goals scored, six conceded — a campaign built on attacking dominance and relative defensive control.

The coaching story at Ghana has been turbulent. Otto Addo managed the qualification campaign but left before the tournament. Carlos Queiroz was appointed in April 2026, bringing with him the experience of managing Iran at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, Portugal at 2010, and South Africa at 2002 — this is his fifth World Cup as head coach, equalling Bora Milutinovic. His philosophy is explicit: defensive organisation first, structured attacking transitions second, improvisation discouraged.

Queiroz's appointment also came with a selection philosophy shift. André Ayew — a veteran forward and brother of captain Jordan — was left out, with Queiroz opting for a younger attacking group. Kadir Barría, the 18-year-old Botafogo midfielder widely regarded as one of Ghana's most exciting young talents, was also omitted, with Queiroz prioritising players who had featured in the qualification campaign.

The goalkeeping unit is led by Lawrence Ati-Zigi of St Gallen in Switzerland, the most experienced of three keepers that also include Benjamin Asare of Hearts of Oak and Joseph Anang of St Patrick's Athletic. The unit's relatively modest club profile reflects Queiroz's priority of defensive organisation over individual goalkeeper quality.

The defence — nine players — is built around the now-absent Mohammed Salisu, whose ACL injury in January 2026 joins Kudus's absence as a second major blow to the squad's first-choice shape. Alidu Seidu at Rennes and Abdul Mumin at Rayo Vallecano lead the remaining options. Jerome Opoku at Istanbul Başakşehir, Jonas Adjetey at Wolfsburg and Kojo Oppong Peprah at Nice round out a defensive group that Queiroz will need to organise carefully against England and Croatia.

Thomas Partey anchors the midfield from Villarreal alongside Elisha Owusu at Auxerre and Augustine Boakye at Saint-Étienne. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, whose seven-month ACL rehabilitation ended in July 2025, brings width and pace to a midfield unit that lost its most creative force with Kudus's absence. Caleb Yirenkyi at FC Nordsjælland provides younger depth.

The attack is where this Ghana squad makes its tournament argument. Iñaki Williams — born in Bilbao, one cap for Spain in 2016, Ghanaian since 2022 — leads alongside Antoine Semenyo, who arrived at Manchester City in January for £64 million. Jordan Ayew at 34 and 133 caps leads the squad as captain. Kamal Deen Sulemana at Atalanta, Ernest Nuamah at Lyon and Christopher Bonsu Baah at Al Qadsiah provide additional width. Brandon Thomas-Asante at Coventry and Prince Kwabena Adu at Viktoria Plzeň complete the forward group.