Conversations are rife, particularly about which players will make the Black Stars squad that will represent Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

One player making the headlines lately is former Black Stars captain Andre Dede Ayew, who hasn’t represented Ghana since he last played for the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Speaking during an interview on Adom TV’s Fire for Fire, the brother of former team captain and current Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew said the current squad has what it takes to compete without major additions.

He insists that the current squad that secured the country a spot in the global football tournament should be maintained, as they are more than enough.

“I think the players who played during the qualifiers have done extremely well. I don’t think we need any additions. I believe we have a good team and, as time goes on, we are improving,” he told Adom TV’s Fire for Fire in an exclusive interview.

He added that the squad’s cohesion continues to improve despite limited training time together. “We haven’t had much time to train together, but the unity is getting better, and everything is improving,” Ayew added.

The Leicester City forward also suggested that introducing significant changes at this stage may not be ideal, though he acknowledged that the final call lies with the technical team.

“I don’t think this is the right time to make changes. But to be honest, on the technical side, the coach will know whom to add or select,” he said.

“Whoever is added must be ready to give their all and put on a show,” Ayew added.

After Ghana sealed their place in the global tournament, to be staged in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, several players have publicly indicated their desire to be part of the squad.

Among them is Ayew’s elder brother, Andre Ayew, who has not featured for the Black Stars in the past three years.

In preparation for the tournament, Ghana is expected to hold a training camp in March, with friendly matches scheduled against Austria and Germany. Further warm-up games are planned against Mexico in May and Wales on June 2.

During the competition, the squad will be based at Bryant University in the United States.

After group-stage exits at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana will be aiming to deliver a stronger performance when the tournament kicks off in North America.

Meanwhile, Otto Addo, the head coach of the Black Stars, is expected to announce his final squad for the tournament on June 1.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has charged the national team’s technical team to make squad selections based on competence and talent rather than sentiment. His remarks come on the back of Ghana’s draw with England, Panama, and Croatia.

Speaking during an interview with Sporty FM, the Buem Member of Parliament (MP) emphasised that Ghana must select the best players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

“We must call up the best, as I have always insisted. A lot of it is emotional, but you also need technical capabilities and sound judgment. You have to decide based on performance and readiness, not just history or popularity. The country must go with its best,” he noted.

He pledged his support for the coach in whatever decisions he makes to ensure the best outcome for the team.

“Wherever we find it, the coach has my support. Whoever is responsible for the team will have my support,” he added.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, opening their campaign against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.

Meanwhile, one of the concerns expressed after Ghana fell into Group L following the group draw held on Friday at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., is the Black Stars being placed in the same group with England.

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo himself affirmed that among the three other teams, England remains the favourite. However, he added that Croatia and Panama should not be underestimated.

During a media engagement, Addo emphasised the importance of consistency and concentration.

“I look forward to every game as special. It is very important for us that we don’t underrate any team. For sure, England is the favourite in that group, but as a coach, I’m looking at every game equally.”

Addo highlighted Ghana’s opening match against Panama as a crucial opportunity to gain momentum.

“I’m hoping that we have a good start against Panama, which will be very, very crucial. A strong start will make the other games a little easier psychologically. We will use the March window for test matches and then assess where we are,” he noted.

Referring to the team’s strong performance during the qualifiers and its preparations, Otto Addo said, “We did very well in the qualifiers. We didn’t lose a single official game—one draw and the rest wins. It was a good year in 2025 after a difficult 2024,” commending his squad.