Francis Abu, Toulouse FC midfielder, faces a race against time to be fit for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a horrific ankle injury in Ghana’s friendly against Japan last month.


  • Nature of injury: Two fractured bones after an awkward twist while blocking a shot.

  • Surgery: Successfully operated on by a young Japanese surgeon, with optimism expressed about recovery.

  • Club stance: Toulouse initially announced Abu would likely miss the World Cup.

  • Progress: Early return to light training has raised hopes of a faster-than-expected comeback.
Henry Asante Twum’s Remarks

On recovery:

“We were fortunate to get one of the best surgeons… He promised that Abu would be back very soon after the surgery.”

On GFA’s position:

“We have to wait for Abu to recover. We pray that he recovers on time and starts field work. He begins to get some playing time, and once that happens, we will make a decision.”

Squad Deadline


  • Ghana coach Otto Addo must submit his final World Cup squad by June 1, 2026.

  • Abu’s availability will depend on his match fitness and competitive minutes in Ligue 1 before the deadline.

Abu’s situation highlights the fine margins of World Cup selection. His recovery could provide Ghana with a valuable midfield option, but the GFA insists decisions will be based on fitness, readiness, and contribution rather than sentiment.

With Ghana drawn in Group L against Panama, England, and Croatia, every squad slot carries weight — making Abu’s race to return one of the key storylines in the Black Stars’ build-up.