We only have to put Black Stars players in the right position to perform well at the World Cup – De Sa

Ghana assistant coach Roger De Sa says the Black Stars technical team is concentrating on getting players mentally and tactically prepared ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, rather than changing the team’s playing style.

The South African coach believes Ghana already possesses the quality needed to compete on the world stage and insists success will depend on deploying players in their best roles and ensuring they perform with confidence.

“We are not going to teach them how to play. We have the players,” De Sa said on the Beyond The Whistle podcast.

“We only have to put them in the right position, with the right frame of mind, and when they put on the jersey, they should perform,” he added.

The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Expectations are high among supporters after Ghana’s disappointing group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments. The coaching staff is now focused on building a competitive side capable of making a deeper run in North America.

Ghana have been drawn in a difficult Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on 17 June at BMO Field in Toronto before taking on England in Boston on 23 June. They will conclude the group phase against Croatia on 27 June at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

As part of preparations for the tournament, Ghana will face Mexico in an international friendly on 22 May before another test against Wales on 2 June.

The matches are expected to help the technical team finalise selections and sharpen the squad ahead of the global showpiece.