Former Ghana international Sam Johnson has expressed strong confidence in the Black Stars’ chances ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, backing the team to rise to the occasion on football’s biggest stage.

Ghana will make its fifth appearance at the World Cup next year, having topped Group I in the CAF qualifiers to secure one of Africa’s nine automatic slots. The expanded 48-team tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Speaking to CitiSports, Johnson emphasized that Ghana’s players are no strangers to top-level competition and should feel at home against familiar opponents.

“It’s not all that difficult. They are going to play against the same people they play with over there, so it’s going to be a different story altogether,” he said.

The former defender urged the team to begin building momentum now, stressing the importance of belief and preparation.

“They have to start doing something now. They have to give us hope. I’m sure this time they will do something as far as the World Cup is concerned.”

Ghana’s qualification came as a welcome boost after the disappointment of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The team will discover its group-stage opponents when the official World Cup draw takes place on December 5, 2025.