2026 World Cup: Black Stars can reach knockout stage - C. K. Akonnor

Former Ghana head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor believes the Ghana national football team have been handed a favourable draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence they can progress beyond the group stage.

‎The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format, with Ghana securing one of Africa’s automatic qualification slots.

‎Following the draw, Ghana have been placed in Group L alongside the Panama national football team, England national football team and Croatia national football team.

‎Speaking to Graphic Sports, Akonnor described the group as “manageable” and expressed optimism about the team’s chances.

“It’s a manageable group; we can achieve success and qualify for the next stage,” he said.

‎The former coach also voiced confidence in current head coach Otto Addo, while welcoming recent efforts to strengthen the technical team.

‎“Our technical team has been strengthened, so they will do a good job. We can go as far as we can depending on our determination and how strategic we are,” he added.

Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group fixtures.

The 2026 tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, with their best performance coming in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals.

With renewed belief and a strengthened technical setup, optimism is growing that the Black Stars can once again make an impact on football’s biggest stage.