Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, has announced a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Notably absent from the lineup is Black Stars captain Andre Ayew, while Thomas Partey and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku are included. The team will first travel to Bamako to face Mali on June 6, followed by a home game against CAR at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on June 10.
With just one win from their first two qualifying matches, the Black Stars are eager to boost their chances of advancing, currently sitting in fourth place in Group I.
The squad features goalkeepers Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Jojo Wollacott, and Frederick Asare from Asante Kotoko. The defensive lineup includes Tariq Lamptey, Gideon Mensah, Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, and Jerome Opoku, with Baba Rahman again omitted.
Midfield selections are led by Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, joined by Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Salis Samed, and Abu Francis. In attack, Jordan Ayew is included, along with Antoine Semenyo, Osman Bukari, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Brandon Thomas-Asante.
Several players are missing due to injuries, such as Baba Iddrisu, Inaki Williams, and Majeed Ashimeru. Others left out include Joseph Paintsil, Nathaniel Adjei, Denis Odoi, Daniel Amartey, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, and Joseph Aidoo.
Otto Addo, who guided Ghana to the Qatar 2022 World Cup during his first tenure, has faced challenges in his second stint, failing to secure victories in friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda in March.
Here’s the full 26-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Mali and CAR:
🚨Head Coach Otto Addo has named the squad for our upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and Central African Republic.
🆕 Fresh Additions: Ibrahim Sulemana, Brandon Thomas-Asante
🇬🇭 #BlackStars will face Mali on June 6, 2024, at Bamako’s Stade 26 Mars,… pic.twitter.com/fPN0V7a7YL
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) May 29, 2024
