World Cup 2026 Ultimate Guide: Ghana

The Black Stars arrive at the tournament full of confidence after a strong qualifying campaign, although the draw was far from kind. Ghana have been placed in Group L alongside two elite national teams, England and Croatia, with Panama completing the group. On paper, that makes Ghana the third-strongest team in the section.

Despite the technical gap between themselves and both England and Croatia, qualification cannot be ruled out, as a third-placed finish may still be enough to reach the knockout stage. As a result, Ghana's approach to the group matches will be crucial. Beating Panama first up is almost a necessity, while avoiding defeat against at least one of the two favourites could prove decisive.

This is no longer the Ghana side of the golden era between 2006 and 2010, when the team reached the last 16 and quarter-finals, respectively. However, they remain a nation that knows how to compete on this stage.

Addo was the coach who guided Ghana through World Cup qualification, but he will not be leading the team at the tournament itself. At the end of March, after speculation about his future had already surfaced in 2024, the Ghana Football Association decided to part ways with their manager.

His replacement is the vastly experienced Carlos Queiroz, and though the 73-year-old will have had very little time to get to know the squad and prepare for the competition, international football is a field in which he possesses unparalleled experience.

After winning back-to-back Under-20 World Cups with Portugal in 1989 and 1991, Queiroz went on to manage the senior national team, guiding them to the 2010 World Cup. He subsequently was in charge of Iran at each of the last three World Cups, meaning he will become just the third man to manage at five successive global tournaments this summer.

A former Real Madrid boss, Queiroz has also managed the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Colombia, Egypt, Qatar and Oman, cementing his reputation as one of international football’s foremost specialists.

Antoine Semenyo is unquestionably Ghana’s most highly regarded player and the focal point of the new generation of Black Stars, both in terms of performances and influence in key matches.

His breakthrough has also been reflected at club level, as his move to Manchester City during the January transfer window marked a major milestone in his career, confirming Semenyo's rise to the highest level of the game.

The step up in competition has done little to slow him down. Under Pep Guardiola, Semenyo continued to shine and score goals, proving exactly why City were willing to invest over £60 million to bring him in from Bournemouth.

Semenyo combines explosive pace, physical strength in duels and an excellent ability to attack space behind the defence. He arrives at the World Cup full of confidence and with the spotlight firmly on him.

After three seasons in England with Southampton, Kamaldeen Sulemana tested himself in Italy with Atalanta this past campaign as he continued his development.

The 24-year-old winger represents one of the most unpredictable attacking weapons available to Queiroz. Quick, skilful and direct, Sulemana has the ability to change the course of a game through sudden bursts of acceleration and one-on-one brilliance, qualities that make him particularly dangerous as an impact substitute.

Suleman’s first Serie A campaign featured both highs and lows, but it allowed him to adapt to one of Europe’s most demanding tactical environments. In Ghana’s recent matches, he has earned regular playing time and now hopes to increase his influence for the national team at the biggest tournament of all.