Ghana’s national team coach, Otto Addo, has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic. The Black Stars will kick off their campaign with an away match in Bamako on June 6, followed by a home game in Kumasi on June 10.
Squad Details
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 Istanbul)
- 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 Calcio)
- Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis)
- Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC)
- Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)
- Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge)
Forwards:
- Osman Bukari (RS Belgrade)
- Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, on loan from Sporting CP)
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
- Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
- Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland)
- Kamaldeen Sulemana (FC Southampton)
- Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich)
Key Highlights
- Debutants: Ibrahim Sulemana from Cagliari and Brandon Thomas-Asante from West Bromwich have received their first call-ups to the national team.
- Injured Players: Seven players, including Baba Iddrisu, Majeed Ashimeru, Inaki Williams, Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey, will miss the qualifiers due to injuries.
- Returning Stars: Key players like Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), and Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion) are back in the squad.
- Training Camp: The squad will begin their training at the University of Ghana Stadium, with preparations starting on Thursday morning before they travel to Bamako on June 4.
The mix of experienced players and newcomers in the squad reflects Otto Addo’s strategy to secure victories in these crucial matches for the 2026 World Cup qualification.
source: ghmediahub.com