Ghana WC squad - Antoine Semenyo leads the Black Stars towards a surprise
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 26.05.26. | 14:11
Although some players who had been important for the national team were not included in the squad, Ghana’s team still deserves respect
Ghana did not feature in Russia, and in Qatar and Brazil the team was eliminated in the group stage. That is why, ahead of the upcoming World Cup, Ghana arrive with a clear goal — to break through the barrier of the knockout stage. They come wounded, but still capable of causing problems for anyone.
Wounded, because they head into the World Cup without two very important players — Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus and Monaco centre-back Mohammed Salisu. Kudus played all ten qualifying matches (starting nine), while Salisu featured in seven. However, their absence is not a surprise, as both have been sidelined with injuries since January and it was already known they would miss the tournament.
🚨 Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 28-man squad for the #BlackStars training camp in Cardiff, ahead of the international friendly against Wales.
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) May 25, 2026
🇬🇭🏴
✍🏾 more on: https://t.co/jIocMv6M29 pic.twitter.com/NrvMXGAiqa
Although it was initially announced that Kudus would return in March after a quadriceps injury, a new setback followed — a hamstring problem — which ultimately ruled the former West Ham player out of the World Cup. Despite this, the Black Stars still possess strong attacking options.
Most notably Antoine Semenyo, who scored 17 league goals for Manchester City and previously Bournemouth; Inaki Williams, who found strong form for Athletic Bilbao towards the end of the season; Issahaku Fatawu, who despite Leicester’s poor campaign managed nine goals and seven assists in the Championship; and Kamaldeen Sulemana of Atalanta.
In midfield, coach Carlos Queiroz can rely on several well-known names, most notably Villarreal’s Thomas Partey, who even captained the team in some qualifying matches.
Queiroz also made a surprise decision by recalling Baba Abdul Rahman to the national team after more than two and a half years. Since his move to PAOK, the left-back had not received a call-up, but Queiroz opted to bring him back.
The Portuguese manager has announced a 28-man squad, meaning two players will have to be cut, and with five goalkeepers included, it is likely that the final omissions will come from that position.
Ghana are in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and ahead of the World Cup they will play a friendly against Wales on June 2 in Cardiff, where the team has been based since yesterday.
Villarreal’s Thomas Partey has been named in Ghana’s preliminary 28-man World Cup squad despite being due to stand trial in the United Kingdom on rape and sexual assault charges.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 26, 2026
On July 5 2025, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. In… pic.twitter.com/ffBX0evbnV
GOALKEEPERS: Lawrence Ati Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Solomon Agbasi (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s), Paul Reverson (Jong Ajax)
DEFENDERS: Abdul Rahman Baba (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Jerome Opoku (Basaksehir), Jonas Agyekum (Wolfsburg), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Kojo Peprah Oppong (Nice)
MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Kwasi Sibo (Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne)
FORWARDS: Jordan Ayew (Leicester), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen)