2026 World Cup: Black Stars Technical team needs our support - Agyemang-Badu
20th February 2026
Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has called on Ghanaians to throw their full support behind the Black Stars technical bench following a major restructuring ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The appeal comes after the Ghana Football Association announced a series of changes aimed at strengthening the national team’s backroom staff as preparations intensify for the global showpiece.
Among the new additions is French tactician Alain Ravera, who joins as assistant coach. He will work alongside Kim Lars Björkegren, currently head coach of the Black Queens. Spanish analyst Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso has also been recruited to bolster scouting and performance analysis.
The reshuffle marks the return of physiotherapist Carlos Lozano Romero, who previously worked with Ghana during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He will be joined by British-born Ghanaian performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, completing what officials describe as a reinforced technical structure.
While the expansion has generated debate among sections of the public, Agyemang-Badu believes this is a moment for solidarity rather than scepticism.
“The Ghana FA knows the nature of the meetings they held with the coaches and management, as well as the kind of reinforcement needed in the technical team. If they have decided to strengthen the technical team, we have to support them,” he told Kessben FM.
“With a few months left to the World Cup, this is not the time to criticise the expansion. As Ghanaians, we need to be patient and back the team,” he added.
Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the Mundial and have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on 17 June 2026, before facing England on 23 June and concluding the group stage against Croatia on 27 June.
As part of preparations, head coach Otto Addo and his squad are expected to regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany, followed by a preparatory fixture against Mexico in May.
For Agyemang-Badu, the message is clear: with the world watching once again, unity at home could prove just as important as tactics on the pitch.