World Cup: Ghana announces squad after postponement due to injuries

Ghana finally announced their squad for the World Cup on Monday night (1st), after coach Carlos Queiroz had to deal with last-minute injury problems before finalizing the 26-player list.

Queiroz held a press conference, before Ghana's friendly against Wales in Cardiff, on Tuesday (2), but did not release the squad list, as expected. The list was released shortly before FIFA's deadline.

The experienced Portuguese coach confirmed to journalists that defender Alexander Djiku was injured during training at the weekend and was replaced by Dutch-born Derrick Luckassen.

Ghana had already been affected by the absence of Mohammed Kudus, who was unable to recover from a thigh injury.

The key midfielder's recovery in time for the start of next week's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States was unlikely following a quadriceps muscle injury in January and subsequent surgery.

26 Men. One Mission!

Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has named Ghana's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The campaign begins on 17 June against Panama in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in... pic.twitter.com/qLCpZwuGxn

- Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 1, 2026

Mohammed Salisu was also out after the Monaco defender ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a French Championship game in January.

But the team saw the return of 31-year-old Baba Abdul Rahman after a three-year absence. The former Chelsea full-back was in the squad for the 2022 World Cup, but has played in just one game for Ghana since then.

The Black Stars face Panama on June 17, in Toronto, in their Group L opener, before facing England and Croatia.

See Ghana's squad for the 2026 World Cup

- Goalkeepers: Joseph Anang, Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi;
- Defenders: Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Preprah, Baba Abdul Rahman, Alidu Seidu, Marvin Senaya;
- Midfielders: Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Elisha Owusu, Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Caleb Yirenkyi;
- Forwards: Prince Kwabena Adu, Jordan Ayew, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Inaki Williams.

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Source: CNN