The Ghana Football Association has confirmed the Black Stars squad list for an important stretch of international fixtures running from September 24 to October 4, 2026, with head coach Carlos Queiroz handing first call-ups to defender Jan Gyamerah and midfielder Ronald Donkor while welcoming back several established internationals for a run that includes two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and an international friendly against Morocco.
New Call-Ups
Gyamerah, a defender with German second-division side SV Elversberg, and Donkor, a midfielder plying his trade with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, have been rewarded for their club form with maiden invitations to the senior national team. Their inclusion reflects the technical staff’s continued effort to broaden the pool of eligible talent across Ghana’s diaspora leagues.
Key Returnees
The squad also sees the return of a clutch of frontline players who missed recent assignments. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mohammed Kudus, Spartak Moscow defender Alexander Djiku, Lorient’s Nathaniel Adjei, Sassuolo’s Ibrahim Sulemana and Brighton forward Ibrahim Osman all come back into contention, restoring considerable strength in depth to Queiroz’s options in midfield and attack.
Selection Philosophy
Explaining the thinking behind the squad, Queiroz pointed to the technical staff’s ongoing assessment of players’ physical readiness and match sharpness as the guiding factor in selection.
Our technical staff carried out our usual in-depth monitoring of the players. The limitations or periods of inactivity affecting some players are also well known. There is always one general principle that we consider fundamental at this stage, except in exceptional circumstances: players should be in competitive action, physically prepared and fully ready to play for the national team.” Carlos Queiroz · Head Coach, Black Stars
Asked whether Ghana could be considered genuine contenders for the AFCON title, the Portuguese coach struck a note of caution, stressing that qualification itself remains the immediate priority.
We must have ambition, but also humility. We know our recent history and we cannot talk about winning AFCON when we have not yet qualified. We have to work, grow, compete and earn our destiny.” Carlos Queiroz, Head Coach, Black Stars
On Ghana’s current standing relative to the continent’s leading nations, Queiroz was candid about the gap that remains to be closed.
Everyone knows the level of competition we face. When we look at some of the national teams currently at the top of African football, we see established sides, built over time, with many of their best players competing regularly at the highest level in Europe, including the Champions League. That is the competitive reality we must recognise and the level we must pursue.” Carlos Queiroz, Head Coach, Black Stars
Full Squad List
