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Top five players left out of Ghanas FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft Mohammed Kudus

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These young players are developing in some of the best academies in the world, and initiatives like this allow us to engage them early and monitor their progress closely,” Prof. Mintah noted. “There is so much Ghanaian talent across the UK, and this initiative gives these young players the opportunity to connect with their roots while showcasing their abilities to the Ghana Football Association. This is only the beginning, and we believe the future is very bright,” he said. Founder of Coach Hene Sporting Club, Emmanuel Afranie, described the programme as an important step in reconnecting talented young players of Ghanaian heritage with the national setup. Forty players of Ghanaian descent, born in the UK and currently playing in Category One academies, took part in the inaugural talent identification programme organised by the Ghana Football Association. Solomon Agbasi has come up with decent performances for his club this season.

  • The Ghana Football Association has a say in the functioning, ruling and execution of football matches in these competitions.
  • Medeama Sporting Club head coach Ibrahim Tanko has pointed to the trust given to him by President of the club…
  • Solomon Agbasi has come up with decent performances for his club this season.
  • As one of the established sides in its confederation, the Ghana National Football Team has shown themselves to be a team capable of beating teams with quality players who play in top leagues around the world.
  • Several academies, such as Right to Dream and WAFA, integrate academics with football training.
  • “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA stated.
  • “Everything is going to depend on how he’s going to deal with that pressure for the first time, because he hasn’t been under it with the national team before he made that huge transfer.
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  • Ghana National Football Team is on par with top African teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Morocco, while showcasing the dominant mentality in its confederation, and has won the biggest trophies in African football.
  • The Ghana National Football Team has won four AFCON titles in the past, along with 8 Western African Nations Cup titles, but has failed to win some other major competitions like the World Cup.
  • This academy focuses on creating pathways for young players to professional football locally and internationally.

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In 2010, Ghana narrowly missed making it to the FIFA World Cup semifinals before losing to Uruguay in one of the most thrilling games in the competition’s history. Yet the numbers alone do not resolve the underlying concern, which is not about whether scouting was conducted, but about whether the final decisions are made freely by the coach. The problem is structural; when a football association retains local assistants, influences backroom composition, the question of who ultimately controls selection cannot be answered by citing a scouting database. While the current crop of players might not be considered as a ‘golden generation’, the appearance at the World Cup always makes every Ghanaian dare to dream a little bit bigger than usual under coach Addo in 2026. The Ghana National Football Team has won four AFCON titles in the past, along with 8 Western African Nations Cup titles, but has failed to win some other major competitions like the World Cup. However, the latest iteration of the Ghanaian squad promises a lot of progress and breakthroughs in the coming years, and fans will be hoping the Black Cats can get past Group L and get on a dream run in the later stages of the competition.

  • No academy can guarantee contracts, but they significantly improve a player’s chances by offering exposure and development.
  • In 2026, the Black Stars are going to be making their fifth appearance in the world football’s apex competition.
  • The winger has spent the last two seasons in the United States and would have arrived at the tournament already acclimatized to the region.
  • Under Okraku, a fresh start was given to the sport in Ghana, and it enhanced the performance of the men’s and women’s teams.
  • This season, he has registered four goals and three assists in 17 appearances across all competitions and has remained a regular starter whenever fit.
  • The Deaf Rugby Team was accompanied by its coach and president, Yaw Kunadu, as well as Rugby Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Authority, Kumasi, Owusu Amuah, and interpreter Gifty Sammy.
  • Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season.
  • The engagement session served as the curtain raiser for the Ghana talent identification programme, with Category One academy assessments scheduled to continue on Thursday.
  • The development has effectively ended Paintsil’s hopes of making the tournament and has sparked debate among Ghanaian football followers, especially considering the winger’s performances at club level over the last two seasons.
  • The Ghana Rugby Football Union said it intends to work with national and international partners to expand programmes for deaf athletes and promote greater inclusion in rugby across the country.
  • “We need to make sure we stay focused because it’s different to friendly games – anything can happen in a tournament. We shouldn’t think about England or how they’re going to perform. Our main focus is to qualify from the group stage.
  • Ghana have appointed experienced Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following the departure of Otto Addo earlier this month.
  • Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson praised the unity and enthusiasm shown throughout the event and reaffirmed the High Commission’s support for the initiative.

WATCH: How Ghana unveiled its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Kudus’ £150,000 weekly Tottenham contract represents the new benchmark for Ghanaian player salaries in Europe’s elite leagues. His £200,000 weekly salary made him one of the Premier League’s highest-paid African players before his 2025 Villarreal move. Ghana have previously reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 — the best performance by an African team at the time — and will be hoping to make a renewed impact in 2026.

Match Progress for Ghana in 2024

Black Stars legend Michael Essien also encouraged young players and their families to embrace the opportunities available through the programme. Founder of Coachhene Sports Club, Emmanuel Afranie Jnr, described the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening pathways for young Ghanaian players in the diaspora. With more than 200 attendees present, the programme brought together parents, young footballers, academy representatives, and key stakeholders connected to Ghana football in what proved to be an inspiring and forward-looking session. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Wales vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics.

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Conquerors SC Juniors emerged overall champions after winning all three of their matches. They defeated African Warriors Juniors 5-0 before overcoming Accra Majestics Juniors 19-0 in the Cup Final. Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko’s top earners make $20,000-$40,000 yearly, forcing talented prospects to Europe by their late teens. Domestic football in Ghana cannot compete financially with even mid-tier European opportunities.

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ghana football

With the tournament set to be hosted in North America, some observers have questioned Paintsil’s exclusion, considering his familiarity with the environment and conditions. The winger has spent the last two seasons in the United States and would have arrived at the tournament already acclimatized to the region. Paintsil, on the other hand, has consistently featured for LA Galaxy and remains one of the club’s key attacking outlets whenever available. Medeama SC Director of Communications Benjamin Willie Graham believes clubs from Ghana’s Western Region are enjoying sustained success because they…

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While injuries disrupted parts of his campaign, the 28-year-old has continued to play a key role for LA Galaxy. This season, he has registered four goals and three assists in 17 appearances across all competitions and has remained a regular starter whenever fit. The development has effectively ended Paintsil’s hopes of making the tournament and has sparked debate among Ghanaian football followers, especially considering the winger’s performances at club level over the last two seasons. The youth arm of Accra Great Olympics FC, nurturing young players to join the club’s senior squad. Football is more than just a sport in Ghana — it is a passion, a culture, and a pathway to global opportunities.

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In fact, Ghana have not won any of their matches since qualifying for the World Cup, in which they topped their group, and face Wales in a friendly on Tuesday. “Everything is going to depend on how he’s going to deal with that pressure for the first time, because he hasn’t been under it with the national team before he made that huge transfer. “People back home have questions about his performance when it comes to the national team, but as a former player and a striker, I have to be in his shoes. With 119 national team appearances, Jordan Ayew is Ghana’s second most capped player, trailing only his brother Andre Ayew by just one. The GFA’s two-stage squad announcement has manufactured controversy where none needed to exist and it is the latest symptom of an institution that has consistently failed the national team. You can click on players from the roster above and see available personal information such as nationality, date of birth, height, preferred foot, position, player value, transfer history etc.

Ghana’s midfield is powered by Thomas Partey of Villareal and Caleb Yirenkyi, a promising player from Nordsjaelland. In their subsequent two competitions, in 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars have failed to go past the competition’s group stage. Asamoah Gyan is the Ghana National Football Team’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals. The GFA has not been insulated from controversy over the years, with even a dissolution of the association, which happened in June 2018. Corruption and practices of bribes being paid to referees opened up a can of worms for the GFA. However, after the 2019 elections, a total revamp took place as Kurt Okraku took over as President of the federation.

Top domestic players earn $20,000-$40,000 yearly, with most professionals making $10,000-$25,000. This modest compensation forces talented prospects toward European academies that offer times higher wages immediately. “When the game was made, I was like, ‘this is it, I just want to do something for my national team’. It was even one of my best games for Ghana and I scored in the last minute. It was a great moment.

  • The public would have had the information it deserved without being strung along through a two-stage announcement that serves the administration more than it serves the supporters, the players, or the coach.
  • Across those appearances, he has overseen 13 World Cup matches, recording three wins, four draws and six defeats.
  • With strong collaboration between the GFA, Coachhene Sports Club, Prince Lamona Consult, and the Ghana High Commission, the future of Ghana football continues to look increasingly bright.
  • Governed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Black Stars are one of Africa’s most successful and celebrated teams.
  • Complete guide to the top football academies in Ghana and their fees for 2025.
  • Lizzy Sports combines football, fitness, and personal development in a supportive environment.
  • The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays.
  • Latest Ghana football news, including the latest updates on the Ghana Premier League, Ghana FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and much more.
  • Match officials, coaches and medical personnel received briefings on the communication needs of deaf athletes before the competition commenced.
  • If you’re looking for the complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025), this detailed guide explains everything you need to know.
  • With players like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus likely to be in the final 26-man squad, the modern iteration of the Ghana National Football Team has all the chances of making life difficult for all the teams in Group L.
  • Corruption and practices of bribes being paid to referees opened up a can of worms for the GFA.

When does the Ghana Premier League start and when does it finish?

“Football has given me a lifetime of challenges, lessons, and unforgettable journeys, all over the world. Today, I accept this mission with the same passion and commitment that have guided me throughout my career. The 73-year-old Portuguese has substantial World Cup experience having previously overseen South Africa, Portugal and Iran on the global stage. With 51 goals for Ghana, Gyan remains the nation’s most prolific scorer, having represented the Black Stars across three FIFA World Cups and etched his name permanently into football history. The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has organised an inclusive rugby competition that brought together deaf and hearing athletes at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium in Legon, Accra.

All Time World Cup Stats for Ghana

Virtually every major footballing nation calls up exactly the players they intend to take to the tournament for their final pre-tournament warm-up, sometimes with one or two additional cover options. They do not name 28 players, generate a week of squad controversy, and then quietly trim out two names. According to him, Paintsil’s influence and consistency at club level surpass that of several players currently in the national team setup especially Atalata’s Kamaldeen Sulemana. Kamaldeen has played for the Black Stars for close to six years and has only one goal,” Nimley stated.

Ghana scores, fixtures, standings and player stats

Despite his omission, Paintsil is expected to return his full attention to LA Galaxy as the MLS season returns after the global showpiece, with the forward aiming to help the club climb the standings and challenge for honours. Coach Christopher Nimley has sounded strong words of caution to LA Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil, urging him to focus on his club career after being left out of Ghana’s squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. MTN FA Cup chairman Wilson Arthur says the growing commercial pressures in Ghana football have forced most GPL clubs into… Several academies, such as Right to Dream and WAFA, integrate academics with football training.

ghana football

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Alexander Djiku was a decent centre-back option for the Ghana national football team in recent years. He did make it to the preliminary squad, but wasn’t included in the final list of players. The 31-year-old currently plays for Spartak Moscow and his performances have not been up to the mark this season. The Tottenham Hotspur star could’ve played an important role for the Ghana national football team, but has been left out due to an injury. The final list of players to represent the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been unveiled. The Wales friendly on June 2 is probably Ghana’s final preparatory match before the World Cup.

The GFA has played a key role in pushing men’s and women’s football to new heights in Ghana and helping the sport gain a cult following in the country. Despite the fact that the Federation is located in Accra, Ghana, two venues serve as the home ground of the Ghana National Football Team. Currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA World Rankings, GFA will be focused on enhancing and helping the team reach back to the heights of being ranked 14th once again in the world of football. The Ghana National Football Team is going to be part of Group L alongside the likes of Croatia, England, and Panama in the 23rd edition of the tournament. Ghana is part of the CAF, the football confederation representing African nations, and will be keen to make it beyond the quarterfinals stage under the stewardship of coach Otto Addo.

Carlos Queiroz reacts to final squad and says players want…

  • The 28-man list announced on May 25 is not, strictly speaking, the final World Cup squad.
  • These young players are developing in some of the best academies in the world, and initiatives like this allow us to engage them early and monitor their progress closely,” Prof. Mintah noted.
  • Football is more than just a sport in Ghana — it is a passion, a culture, and a pathway to global opportunities.
  • AFCON and World Cup campaigns offer substantial bonus structures, with qualification and progression bonuses reaching six figures for deep tournament runs.
  • Paintsil missed out on the previous World Cup after then Black Stars coach Otto Addo omitted him from the final squad, and a similar situation appears to have unfolded under new Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz.
  • One of the fastest-growing academies in Ghana, known for discovering raw talent from rural areas.
  • In addition to the referee’s whistle, flags and visual signals were used to communicate stoppages and key decisions.
  • We may have video highlights with goals and news for some Ghana matches, but only if they play their match in one of the most popular football leagues.
  • With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.
  • Asamoah Gyan is the Ghana National Football Team’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals.
  • “He did great for Bournemouth and he had a deserving transfer to Manchester City. He’s continuing doing what he does best with goalscoring.

The team with the largest stadium is Asante Kotoko with the capacity of 40528. The top scorers in the last season of Ghana Premier League Premier League 25/26 season were Kumi Attah.Last season top scorer is Kumi Attah with 18 goals. Sofascore tracks live football scores and Ghana Premier League table, results, statistics and top scorers. Across those appearances, he has overseen 13 World Cup matches, recording three wins, four draws and six defeats.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz: ‘Let the river flow until…

A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. https://aviatorghana.pro/how-to-play-aviator/ Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.

Ghana’s worst performances have tended to come under coaches who operated in an environment where GFA influence was most visible. Carlos Queiroz, with his extensive international experience managing Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and others, may prove harder to manage internally than his predecessors. But the structures that enabled interference have not been dismantled, they have simply received a new occupant at the top. If the 28-man list is functionally the World Cup squad with only two spots to be resolved, why name 28 at all? The answer the GFA and technical team would give is that it provides flexibility, as Queiroz can assess players in training, observe how they respond to the camp environment, and make his final two cuts on informed rather than assumed grounds. The 28-man list announced on May 25 is not, strictly speaking, the final World Cup squad.

With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers. Governed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Black Stars are one of Africa’s most successful and celebrated teams. The team has won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) several times and consistently ranks among the continent’s elite. “He did great for Bournemouth and he had a deserving transfer to Manchester City. He’s continuing doing what he does best with goalscoring. Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season.

Addo, Otto

The 36-year-old has not been included in Ghana’s final squad despite making 120 appearances in the past. Latest news on the Ghana National Football Team, including team selections, fixtures, results and coverage of their progression within international tournaments. “We need to make sure we stay focused because it’s different to friendly games – anything can happen in a tournament. We shouldn’t think about England or how they’re going to perform. Our main focus is to qualify from the group stage. Addo was relieved of his duties after the March international break, in which the Black Stars lost to Germany and Austria in friendlies.

Antoine Semenyo faces World Cup pressure as Ghana’s new face of football – Asamoah Gyan

Ghana live scores, players, season schedule and today’s results are available on Sofascore. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays. It shows all personal information about the players, including age, nationality, contract duration and market value. It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall. According to him, many talented young footballers across the country possess enormous potential but lack the necessary support systems and opportunities needed to fully develop their abilities.

  • Ghanaian players earn $8,000-$15,000 per match depending on competition importance.
  • In 2026, the Black Stars are going to be making their fifth appearance in the world football’s apex competition.
  • The Deaf Rugby Team was accompanied by its coach and president, Yaw Kunadu, as well as Rugby Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Authority, Kumasi, Owusu Amuah, and interpreter Gifty Sammy.
  • “He did great for Bournemouth and he had a deserving transfer to Manchester City. He’s continuing doing what he does best with goalscoring.
  • The GFA’s two-stage squad announcement has manufactured controversy where none needed to exist and it is the latest symptom of an institution that has consistently failed the national team.
  • These young players are developing in some of the best academies in the world, and initiatives like this allow us to engage them early and monitor their progress closely,” Prof. Mintah noted.
  • AFCON and World Cup campaigns offer substantial bonus structures, with qualification and progression bonuses reaching six figures for deep tournament runs.
  • The 28-man list announced on May 25 is not, strictly speaking, the final World Cup squad.
  • Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson praised the unity and enthusiasm shown throughout the event and reaffirmed the High Commission’s support for the initiative.
  • The event was also attended by British-Ghanaian rugby player and advocate, Zainab Alema.
  • The competition forms part of the Union’s broader efforts to make rugby accessible to all, while supporting athlete development, safety and equal opportunities in sport.

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The Ghana Rugby Football Union said it intends to work with national and international partners to expand programmes for deaf athletes and promote greater inclusion in rugby across the country. A major highlight of the competition was the participation of the Deaf Rugby Team, which was established through a collaboration between Coach Hakim and Madam Inusah. The initiative began four years ago in Kumasi to introduce deaf athletes to rugby and provide a pathway for their development in the sport. Established players in their late 20s often maximize earnings through lucrative Asian or Middle Eastern contracts. These leagues pay 2-3 times European salaries, allowing players to secure financial futures before retirement. Ghanaian players earn $8,000-$15,000 per match depending on competition importance.

One of the fastest-growing academies in Ghana, known for discovering raw talent from rural areas. And I am ready to give everything of my experience and knowledge once again, in service of the game and the happiness of people. Queiroz succeeds Otto Addo, who was sacked 72 days out from the tournament following emphatic defeats by Austria and Germany. “Grassroots football is the foundation of every successful football nation,” he said. “Tonight, as we officially unveil Asamoah Gyan as Ambassador of the Ghana Football Association for our National Teams, particularly the Black Stars and Colts Football, we are not simply appointing a former player,” he stated.

Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion.

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Ghana is known for its energetic playing style, technical skill, and passionate fan support. The team has produced world-class players like Abedi Pele, Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan who have been instrumental in raising Ghana’s profile on the global stage. The team’s best World Cup run, the 2010 quarter-final came under Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.

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For today’s football schedule and results visit our football live score page. There are also all Ghana scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Malawi vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics. The GFA is responsible for monitoring and arranging the smooth functioning of the footballing system and activities in Ghana.

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Painful omissions such as Paintsil, Ashimeru and Köhn are not technically final yet. It is a convenient posture that extends the uncertainty while managing the news cycle. Ghana fixtures tab is showing the last 100 football matches with statistics and win/draw/lose icons. The Ghana Football Association succeeded the Gold Coast Football Association, which was one of the oldest footballing bodies in Africa since its foundation in 1920. The game was first introduced in the country by European merchants in the late 19th century. For now, however, another World Cup dream has slipped away from one of Ghana’s most exciting attacking talents.

ghana football

“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA stated. The Ghana Football Association has taken another significant step towards securing the future of Ghana football after hosting a highly successful engagement session with parents and potential national team players at the Ghana High Commission. Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Jeffrey Schlupp was left out of the final squad and his agent went public with accusations of corruption within the GFA. Had Queiroz simply named a 26-man squad on May 25, the squad he was always going to take to the World Cup, the debate would have been sharper, clearer, and concluded in a single day.

AFCON and World Cup campaigns offer substantial bonus structures, with qualification and progression bonuses reaching six figures for deep tournament runs. Ghana’s football export business thrives as European clubs compete for Black Stars talent. Mohammed Kudus’ £55 million transfer to Tottenham demonstrates the financial opportunities available to Ghana’s elite prospects through strategic European moves. The Black Stars had also lost their previous four games and failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite a squad featuring Premier League-based players such as Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo. “The level of talent and professionalism we witnessed here was very encouraging.

If you’re serious about developing your football career, choosing the right academy is a big step toward achieving your dream. WAFA has produced many players for the Ghanaian national team and European clubs. “We must invest in young talents, create opportunities for them, and give them hope. I want to appeal to corporate Ghana to support football development because the future of our game depends on what we build today,” he added. For Queiroz, the role represents another chapter in a long international career, but also a unique challenge — guiding one of Africa’s most storied national teams on the world stage.

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