Carlos Queiroz has named his final 26-man Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ajax goalkeeper Paul Reverson and Hearts of Oak shot-stopper Solomon Agbasi the two players cut from the 28-man provisional group that assembled in Cardiff last Monday.
The announcement, made on Monday, June 1st, confirms the group that will carry Ghana's hopes across Group L fixtures against Panama, England, and Croatia in North America this month.
The 28-man squad had been training together at Dragon Park in Cardiff since May 25, giving Queiroz and his technical team a full week to observe the players in training, assess their fitness levels, study their work in sessions, and before making a final decision.
Reverson, the 20-year-old Ajax youngster who had been included in both the Mexico friendly squad and the provisional group for further assessment, misses out having been listed with a "long-term view".
Queiroz had been clear from the outset that the young goalkeeper's inclusion carried a long-term development dimension, and his omission from the final squad is a reflection of the experienced options already available in the goalkeeping department rather than any failure on his part. For the Ajax shot-stopper, this is the beginning of a journey rather than the end of one.
Agbasi's case is a bit unique as he will still remain with the Black Stars team during the World Cup as an emergency goalkeeper.
"My squad has 27 players because we have a privilege to have also another player Solomon Agbasi that has accepted to be with us and be part of our team, be part of training, be ready if something happens in our goalkeeping department," Queiroz said.
Ghana's final 26-Man squad
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick's Athletic)
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Forwards/Wingers: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzeň)
Ghana's 2026 World Cup Schedule
Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside England, Panama and Croatia.
From Toronto to Philadelphia: Ghana's full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule
The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
They then face England on Tuesday, June 23rd, at Gillette Stadium in Boston before concluding their group stage on Saturday, June 27th, against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Who is missing from Ghana's squad?
The squad announcement inevitably draws attention to the names that are missing, and Ghana's final list contains some significant and painful absentees.
Mohammed Kudus is the most damaging absence. The Tottenham Hotspur winger was Ghana's most dangerous attacking weapon and their top scorer at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he scored twice and announced himself to the global game.
A quad injury sustained earlier in the season required surgery, and despite frantic hopes of a recovery in time, the diagnosis proved too unforgiving.
Mohammed Salisu is another major loss. The Monaco centre-back was ruled out through an ACL injury sustained during the club season.
His defensive partner Alexander Djiku's absence is the most recent and the most cruel. The Spartak Moscow defender arrived in the Cardiff camp carrying a knock from the Russian Cup final and, after thorough medical examinations over the weekend, was confirmed as unable to participate at the World Cup. Derrick Luckassen has been called up in his place.
Tariq Lamptey, the Brighton right-back who had been part of the squad picture, also misses out due an ACL injury..
Andre Ayew's absence is of a different nature but no less significant in terms of what it represents. The veteran forward, who remains Ghana's most capped outfield player and has been part of the national setup at every major tournament for over a decade, has not been selected by Queiroz.
The 36-year-old, who most recently suffered relegation from the Eredivisie with NAC Breda, was not recalled despite some persistent public calls for his inclusion. Queiroz has been unambiguous in his preference for a younger, more dynamic attacking group.
Before the World Cup begins, there is one final piece of business. Ghana face Wales in a historic international friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, June 2nd. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations and the first time Wales have hosted African opposition.
