Ghana's national football team, the Black Stars, have unveiled their squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Head coach Otto Addo has selected 26 players for the crucial double-header, which kicks off with an away match against Mali in Bamako on June 6, followed by a home game against CAR in Kumasi on June 10.
In a move that introduces fresh talent to the squad, Cagliari midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana and West Bromwich forward Brandon Thomas-Asante have received their first call-ups.
Frederick Asare, the goalkeeper from Asante Kotoko, is the sole home-based player included in the team.
Among the returnees is Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is back from injury.
The squad also features key players such as Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens), and Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco).
Striker Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), along with wingers Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), and Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), have also been named in the squad.
Notably, several players are sidelined due to injuries and will miss the qualifiers. These include Baba Iddrisu, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey. Long-term absentees Kofi Kyere and Joseph Aidoo are also unavailable.
The selected players will report for duty on Thursday morning, beginning their preparations at the University of Ghana Stadium. The team will train for six days before departing for Bamako on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Ghana's Squad for the June 2026 World Cup Qualifiers:
Goalkeepers:
- Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen)
- Jojo Wollacot (Hibernian FC)
- Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko)
Defenders:
- Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre)
- Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar)
- Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco)
- Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
- Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano)
- Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce)
- Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes)
- Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Midfielders:
- Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United)
- Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon)
- Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens)
- Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
- Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis)
- Thomas Partey (Arsenal)
- Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)
- Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)
Forwards:
- Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade)
- Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, on loan from Sporting CP)
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
- Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
- Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland)
- Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)
- Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich)
Ghana aims to secure vital points in these qualifiers as they continue their quest for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
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