Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has named his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be held in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Goalkeepers Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Anang have been selected, while Solomon Agbesi joins the team as an additional squad member.
Defender Derrick Luckassen has been called up to replace Alexander Djiku, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury expected to keep him sidelined for at least six weeks.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed the setback and expressed his disappointment at losing the defender.
“It’s one of those moments we don’t like. Djiku got injured during the Cup Final. It was a very difficult decision. We’ll miss him — he’s a great guy and a great professional. I didn’t work with him directly, but I spent hours watching videos and speaking with people around him,” Queiroz said.
“When we knew about the injury, we went to our list. Luckassen was ready. I know he’ll be committed, dedicated, and will perform fantastically for the national team,” Queiroz added.
Speaking about Ghana’s prospects at the World Cup, the Portuguese tactician struck an optimistic yet realistic tone.
“My message is positive — a message of hope. We dream of success at this World Cup, bringing joy and happiness to the people. But I must also deliver a realistic message. Football is a game of opinions. That’s the beauty of it. All opinions are valid. Debate, even conflict, is welcome — it keeps the fire burning. It drives us to be better, to grow, and to become champions.”
“For us coaches, it’s about inclusion. Exclusion is for commentators, the press, and fans. They can enjoy talking about exclusion. My job is inclusion.”
“They give me 26 players, but I have 29 in my head. The rule allows 36. Today I choose 26; tomorrow, under different circumstances, we may make different decisions. That’s why the game is beautiful. Everything is possible — reality and fantasy at the same time.”
Experienced players including Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Iñaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Antoine Semenyo, Gideon Mensah and Baba Abdul Rahman are among those selected for the tournament.
Several players are set to make their FIFA World Cup debuts, including Jerome Opoku, Abdul Mumin, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Prince Kwabena Adu.
The Black Stars will face Wales in a friendly match in Cardiff on June 2 before travelling to Washington for the final phase of their preparations.
Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 and will also face England and Croatia in Group L.
Ghana’s final World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak SC), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Joseph Anang (St Patrick’s Athletic).
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos).
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City).
Forwards: Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City).
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