The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that Joseph Paintsil and Alexander Djiku will join the Black Stars squad after Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad.

Both players were named in head coach Otto Addo’s 24-man squad for the September international window but were unable to travel with the team to N’Djamena.

Djiku is currently in Moscow finalising a club contract and is expected to arrive in Accra on Friday, while Paintsil missed his connecting flight from New York due to delays, arriving in Ghana on Wednesday morning.

As a result, the pair will miss Ghana’s Group I clash with Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno but will be available for the crucial home fixture against Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars are currently training with 22 players ahead of the Chad encounter as they aim to maintain their lead in Group I and edge closer to a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.

Paintsil will be coming to the Black Stars camp with his third place bronze medal in the North American Leagues Cup 2025 where he scored the winner for LA Galaxy to clinch the bronze medal and also qualified them for the 2026 CONCACAF Championship.