Ghana's Final 26-Man World Cup Squad

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has named his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with injured forward Mohammed Kudus and former captain Dede Ayew among the notable absentees. Injuries to key defenders Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku have also forced changes as the Black Stars prepare for a difficult group containing England, Croatia and Panama.

ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup without forward Mohammed Kudus and former captain Dede Ayew after coach Carlos Queiroz announced his final 26-man squad for the tournament in North America.

The squad announcement, one of the most anticipated moments of Ghana’s World Cup preparations, confirmed the absence of several high-profile players, including Kudus, who has been sidelined by injury, and veteran forward Ayew, who was not included in the final selection.

Kudus’s omission represents a significant setback for the Black Stars. The 25-year-old has been one of Ghana’s most influential attacking players in recent years but failed to recover in time after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a quadriceps injury that has kept him out since January. According to reports published by BBC Sport and Ghanaian media, the forward was ruled out after medical assessments concluded he would not be fit for the tournament.

The squad announcement also confirmed the absence of AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu, who remains sidelined following an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during the club season. Salisu’s injury deprives Ghana of one of its most experienced defenders at a time when the team faces some of the strongest attacking opposition in the tournament.

Vice-captain Alexander Djiku was another major casualty. The defender suffered an injury during preparations and has been replaced by Derrick Luckassen, who earns a place in the final squad after initially being outside the core group of expected selections.

Despite those setbacks, Queiroz has retained an experienced spine that includes captain Jordan Ayew, midfielder Thomas Partey, forwards Inaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo, and defender Baba Rahman.

The inclusion of Semenyo is particularly significant. The Bournemouth forward arrives at the World Cup following one of the strongest seasons of his career and is expected to assume greater attacking responsibility in Kudus’s absence.

One of the most notable selections is Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who becomes the only Ghana Premier League player included in the final squad. His selection is likely to be welcomed by supporters of domestic football, who have long called for greater representation of home-based players within the national team.

Queiroz’s final selection follows a preparation period disrupted by injuries but strengthened by the return of several players. Baba Rahman returns after an impressive season with Greek champions PAOK, while Olympique Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah has recovered from a long-term anterior cruciate ligament injury to secure a place in the squad.

Abdul Mumin, Augustine Boakye and Alidu Seidu have also returned from injury, providing additional depth across the defence and midfield.

The Black Stars qualified impressively for the tournament, finishing top of their qualifying group and scoring 23 goals during the campaign. However, FIFA’s tournament analysis identifies Ghana among the lower-ranked teams at the finals, highlighting the challenge facing Queiroz’s side as they seek to progress beyond the group stage.

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

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in matches expected to determine whether they can reach the knockout rounds.

For Queiroz, the final squad reflects a balance between experience, current form and fitness. For Ghanaian supporters, it represents both opportunity and uncertainty.

The absence of Kudus removes one of the team’s most creative attacking threats, while injuries to Salisu and Djiku weaken defensive options. Yet the returns of Rahman and Nuamah, combined with the experience of Jordan Ayew, Partey, Williams and Semenyo, provide reasons for optimism as Ghana prepares for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.

🫶🏾 26 Men. One Mission! 🇬🇭🏆

👤 Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has named Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. 🌍

🗓️ The campaign begins on 17 June against Panama in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in… pic.twitter.com/qLCpZwuGxn
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 1, 2026

Why This Matters

The omission of Kudus is the defining story of Ghana’s squad announcement. The former Ajax midfielder has been central to Ghana’s attacking play in recent years, and his absence places greater responsibility on Semenyo, Williams and Jordan Ayew to provide goals and creativity.

At the same time, injuries to Salisu and Djiku mean Ghana will enter the tournament without two defenders widely expected to play key roles. The final squad therefore reflects not only Queiroz’s tactical preferences but also the impact injuries have had on Ghana’s preparations.