Black Stars Squad Announced for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers next month.
Ghana coach Otto Addo has named his squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic but conspicuously missing out is captain Andre Ayew.
The Black Stars are set to face Mali on June 6th in Bamako before returning home to take on the Central African Republic on June 10th at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
This is a crucial double header for Ghana, who currently sit fourth in Group I after a win and a loss in their opening two matches.
Coach Otto Addo, reappointed earlier this year, is expected to build on the core of the squad that featured in the March friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda, while welcoming back some key players.
The squad was expected to include the regular captain Andre Ayew but was dropped while Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, and Mohammed Kudus, who all missed the March friendlies due to injury or personal reasons return to the squad.
The return of these experienced players is a major boost for the Black Stars as they look to turn their World Cup qualification back on track.
Maiden call ups were handed to Sulemana Ibrahim and Brandon Thomas Asante of Cagliari and West Bromwich Albion respectively.
Asante Kotoko goalie, Frederick Asare maintained his spot in the squad as the only local player.
Below is the full Black Stars squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Mali and Central African Republic:
GK: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Jojo Wollacott (Hibernian), Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko).
Defenders: Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Ebenezer Annan, Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku, Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahçe), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion).
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Abdul Salis Samed (Lens), Francis Abu, Edmund Addo, Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Sulemana Ibrahim (Cagliari)
Attackers: Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Osman Ibrahim (Nordsjaelland), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Thomas Brandon Asante (West Brom) Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)
Otto Addo announced that Thomas Partey will take charge as captain for these two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.
The team will open camping on Thursday, May 30, and will train at the University of Ghana Stadium before flying to Mali.