Sports

Black Stars Announce Squad For World Cup Qualifiers

Story Highlights
  • Otto Addo has revealed his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup
  • Goalkeeper Frederick Asare is the sole home-based player
  • Their journey starts with a match against Mali

Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has revealed his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.

The announcement, made at the Ghana Football Association headquarters on May 29th, included call-ups for some new faces. Cagliari midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana and West Bromwich Albion forward Brandon Thomas-Asante will be making their debuts for the Black Stars.

Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare is the sole home-based player selected for the qualifiers.

Captain André Ayew is a notable absentee, while injuries prevent Baba Iddrisu, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, and several others from participating.

The squad finds a balance between experience and fresh talent, with younger players like midfielder Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Niš) and forward Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjælland) joining established names.

Here’s a look at the full squad:

Goalkeepers:

  • Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen)
  • Jojo Wollacot (Hibernian FC)
  • Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko)

Defenders:

  • Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre)
  • Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar)
  • Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco)
  • Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
  • Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano)
  • Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce Istanbul)
  • Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes)
  • Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders:

  • Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)
  • Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyonnais)
  • Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens)
  • Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari Calcio)
  • Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Niš)
  • Thomas Partey (FC Arsenal)
  • Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)
  • Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)

Forwards:

  • Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade)
  • Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, loan from Sporting CP)
  • Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
  • Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
  • Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjælland)
  • Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton FC)
  • Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich Albion)

The Black Stars begin preparations on May 30th at the University of Ghana Stadium. Their journey starts with a match against Mali on June 6th in Bamako, followed by a home game against the Central African Republic on June 10th.

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