Otto Addo: “We Will Not Underrate Any Team At the World Cup”
Ghana head coach Otto Addo has stressed the importance of maintaining focus and respect for every opponent as the Black Stars gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking to ghanafa.org, Addo made it clear that while England may be the bookmakers’ favourite in Group L, Ghana’s approach remains grounded and disciplined.
“I look forward to every game as special,” he said. “It’s very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group. But for me as a coach, to be honest, I’m looking at each and every game equally.”
Addo’s immediate priority is Ghana’s opening fixture against Panama on June 17 in Toronto. The coach believes the first match could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
“I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama; that will be very, very crucial,” he noted. “A strong start will make the other games a little bit more relaxed and easier for the players psychologically. We will use the March window for test matches and then see.”
Reflecting on Ghana’s journey to the World Cup, Addo expressed pride in the team’s growth and resilience. Despite fielding one of the youngest squads in recent years, the Black Stars enjoyed an excellent qualification campaign.
“I think we did very well in the qualifiers,” he said. “We didn’t lose a single official game. We just played one draw and the rest we won, so we had quite a good year in 2025 after a bad year in 2024. Even though we have a very young team, we really did well—great harmony, great union.”
Ghana will face England on June 23 before rounding off their group stage with a clash against Croatia on June 27. With confidence building and a clear message from the coach, the Black Stars enter the global showpiece determined, unified, and ready to fight for every point.