Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, is expected to release the final squad list for the 2026 World Cup in June next year.

This was confirmed by the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Henry Asante Twum, in an interview with Accra-based radio station Asempa FM on December 15. He explained that all qualified nations are required by FIFA to announce their provisional squads on April 11, 2026, with final lists due before midnight on June 1, 2026.

“All qualified teams, including the Black Stars of Ghana, are mandated by FIFA to announce their provisional squad on April 11, 2026. The final squads for the tournament must be announced before midnight on June 1, 2026,” he said.

He added that players performing well both domestically and abroad will be considered for selection.

“Every Ghanaian player with a strong performance is closely monitored by the technical team, and regardless of where they play, they will be given a call-up,” Asante Twum noted.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia following the draw held at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The ceremony was attended by high-profile figures including President Donald Trump, entertainers Kevin Hart and Heidi Klum, as well as sports icons Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Rio Ferdinand and Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England on June 23 in Boston. They will conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

The 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, having previously competed in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their best performance came in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Speaking during a media engagement, former Ghana international Asamoah Gyan expressed optimism about the team’s chances, acknowledging that the group is challenging but stating confidence that Ghana can progress.

Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan has expressed confidence that the Black Stars can advance beyond the group stage at the 2026 World Cup, despite being placed in a challenging Group L.

“It’s a tricky group. We will do our possible best to qualify from the group stage,” Gyan, who remains Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer, said.

Gyan, who represented Ghana at three World Cups from 2006 to 2014, has six goals in the competition, making him the continent’s top scorer in World Cup history.

One of the many concerns that has been expressed after Ghana fell in Group L following the group draw is the Black Stars’ falling in the same group (Group L) with England.

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo himself affirmed that among the 3 other teams, England remains the favourite. However, he added that, while that has been affirmed, he wouldn’t recommend that any of the other opponents, that is, Croatia and Panama, 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 stunning performance during the qualifiers and its preparations so far, Otto Addo mentioned that, “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,” he said, commending his squad for the union in the squad so far.

He also commended the unity within the squad. “Even though we have a very young team, we did really well. There was good harmony and good union.”

After Ghana discovered their group stage opponents, the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, charged the national team’s technical team to make the squad selection based on competence and talent, rather than sentiment.

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