2026 World Cup: Black Stars can pull a surprise – Yaw Acheampong Joachim
Former Ghana international Yaw Acheampong Joachim believes the Black Stars have what it takes to emerge as one of the surprise packages at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Ghana are preparing for their fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament after securing qualification for the expanded competition, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. They will begin their campaign against Panama before taking on England and the 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia.
Speaking to Koforidua-based Swiit FM, Joachim expressed confidence in the progress made by the national team under head coach Carlos Queiroz, insisting Ghana should not be underestimated.
“I can see clear improvement in the Black Stars team under coach Carlos Queiroz,” Joachim said.
“No one should underestimate this team. From what I have seen so far, the team can pull a surprise at the 2026 World Cup.”
The former Ghana international also cautioned against judging the team’s prospects based solely on results in preparatory matches.
“In fact, I believe there could be many surprises throughout the tournament,” he added.
“We should not judge the team solely based on friendly matches because that is where coaches experiment, develop their game plans and prepare the team for the real competition.”
Ghana’s squad has already arrived in the United States as preparations intensify ahead of the tournament, which begins on 11 June.
The Black Stars have previously competed at the World Cup in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their finest moment came in South Africa in 2010, when they became only the third African nation to reach the quarter-finals and came within a penalty shootout of making history by advancing to the last four.
With a challenging group ahead, Joachim believes Ghana possess the quality and growing confidence to defy expectations once again on the global stage.
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