2026 FIFA World Cup: Projected Black Stars of Ghana 26-Man Squad of Otto Addo
- Otto Addo is likely to select most of the players who featured in the recent qualifiers in his final World Cup squad
- An Asante Kotoko player is tipped to make the Black Stars' selection for the historic 48-team tournament
- A veteran Ghanaian football administrator has urged the likes of Antoine Semenyo to improve their national team performance
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As Ghana has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, attention will soon turn to which players deserve to form the Black Stars squad for the historic tournament, which is scheduled to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
With players now rejoining their clubs to continue the 2025/26 season, form will be key in determining who makes the squad, but the class of certain players almost guarantees them a place in Otto Addo's World Cup list.
Source: Getty Images
If everything goes as expected, YEN.com.gh has predicted Ghana's final squad for the 48-team tournament next year, assuming each team will be required to submit a list of 26 players.
Ghana's 2026 World Cup squad: Goalkeepers
1. Benjamin Asare
Leading the pack is Hearts of Oak and current Black Stars No.1 goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare. It is obvious that Otto Addo is not thinking of leaving out the veteran Ghana Premier League custodian anytime soon.
Source: Twitter
2. Lawrence Ati-Zigi
Joining him is former Ghana national football team first-choice, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who was the Black Stars' starting goalkeeper at Qatar 2022. Now playing second fiddle to Asare, Ati-Zigi is expected to go to the 2026 World Cup.
3. Joseph Anang
The third keeper berth is likely to be contested by Joseph Anang and Joseph Wollacott. However, the former should get the nod due to his recent inclusions in Otto Addo's selections.
Ghana's 2026 World Cup squad: Defenders
4. Alexander Djiku
Alexander Djiku, the charismatic Black Stars defender, deserves to be Otto Addo's top priority when it comes to Ghana's defence.
Since his debut for the national team, the Spartak Moscow man has hardly put a foot wrong in Black Stars' matches. Simply dependable.
5. Mohammed Salisu
AS Monaco's Mohammed Salisu is also expected to feature, but the ex-Southampton center-back knows he needs to start playing regularly at his club to guarantee his starting place at the World Cup.
6. Jonas Adjetey
Providing depth is Jonas Adjetey, one of Otto Addo's go-to defenders when it comes to the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formations. Having featured prominently in the World Cup qualifiers, Addo is likely to reward Jonas with a World Cup finals selection.
7. Jerome Opoku
The Istanbul Basaksehir defender has provided options for the Black Stars during the World Cup qualifiers and can make the squad if Otto Addo is to select 26 players.
8. Gideon Mensah
Next up is the Auxerre left-back, Gideon Mensah, who has failed to convince Ghanaian fans absolutely. Many supporters think he is only in the lineup because of limited alternatives.
Nevertheless, Mensah remains the team's first-choice left-back or wing-back. There is little fans can do about that, as Otto Addo picks him repeatedly.
9. Ebenezer Annan
Adding width is another France-based footballer, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Etienne, who started and excelled in the Black Stars' 1-0 win against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium.
10. Alidu Seidu
Offering experience to Ghana's backline is the versatile Alidu Seidu of Stade Rennais FC. He is one of the players who featured at Qatar 2022 under Otto Addo and could travel to America in 2026.
11. Caleb Yireknyi
Completing the defence is Caleb Yireknyi, the new first-choice right-back of the Black Stars, at least, based on the team's recent qualifiers against the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali.
Ghana's 2026 World Cup squad: Midfielders
12. Mohammed Kudus
Premier League star Mohammed Kudus picks himself in any Black Stars list thanks to his past performances, current form, dedication, and commitment to the Black Stars. The skillful Tottenham Hotspur winger is expected to dazzle the world once more with his creativity.
13. Thomas Partey
Controlling the middle of the park requires players with vision, excellent ball-winning technique, and great passing range. Partey does these so well.
14. Kwasi Sibo
Right now, anytime Thomas Partey's name is mentioned in Ghana's midfield, the next man in the spotlight is Real Oviedo's Kwasi Sibo. Unfortunately for Salis Abdul Samed, Sibo is now the Black Stars' default No. 6, and he is definitely going to USA, Canada, and Mexico.
15. Elisha Owusu
Strengthening the midfield and providing tournament experience is Elisha Owusu. Though his first team place came under threat following Ghana's 1-1 away draw at Chad back in September, the Auxerre player is still one of Otto Addo's trusted figures.
16. Abu Francis
Meanwhile, Toulouse maestro Abu Francis completes the midfield. Though the 24-year-old missed out on the recent games, Otto Addo may just hand him a big opportunity to be at the World Cup.
Ghana's 2026 World Cup squad: Attackers
17. Jordan Ayew
Leading the attack is Leicester City's Jordan Ayew, who racked up seven goals and provided seven assists in the World Cup qualifiers. As noted by the Ghana FA, Ayew successfully captained the team in the victories against the Central African Republic and Comoros to secure Ghana's qualification.
18. Antoine Semenyo
The Bournemouth forward hasn’t been particularly outstanding for Ghana, but his Premier League form and work rate mean he is always a key fixture in the Ghanaian team.
19. Fatawu Issahaku
Bringing pace and trickery is Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who recovered from a niggling injury to start Ghana's 5-0 spectacle against the CAR in Meknes. When he is fit and on form, expect to see his name on Otto Addo's World Cup squad.
20. Inaki Williams
Like Semenyo, Inaki Williams' performances for Ghana haven’t been exceptional. However, it is hard to make a Ghana World Cup finals selection without the name of the Athletic Bilbao captain.
21. Kamaldeen Sulemana
The Atalanta winger is expected to be at the World Cup, bolstering the flanks with his pace and dribbling skills.
22. Albert Amoah
Otto Addo’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup featured two home-based players, and a similar pattern is expected for the 2026 edition. With Hearts of Oak's Benjamin Asare already considered, Asante Kotoko's Albert Amoah stands a good chance of making the squad if he maintains his current form.
23. Christopher Bonsu Baah
Giving options on the wings, Al-Qadsia's Bonsu Baah could earn a call-up provided he stays consistent. According to Transfermarkt, he has scored a goal and provided one assist in five games so far this season.
24. Jerry Afriyie
Next up is the Ghana U-20 striking sensation, Jerry Afriyie, now playing for Belgian Pro League side La Louviere. The 18-year-old has started all of his team's last six matches since he joined them this summer.
25. Thomas-Asante Brandon
The Coventry City forward was handed a late invitation to join the Black Stars for the games against the CAR and Comoros when Inaki Williams was ruled out through injury. Having scored five goals in the Championship so far, a place in the squad is within reach if he continues performing well.
26. Joseph Paintsil
LA Galaxy star Joseph Paintsil would be full of regret if he fails to make Ghana's World Cup squad for a tournament that takes place in the region where he is playing his professional trade.
Football administrator urges Semenyo to improve
Meanwhile, in an exclusive chat with YEN.com.gh, Ghanaian lower-tier side Techiman City's president, Charles Kwadwo Ntim, has urged Antoine Semenyo to step up his performances for the national team, while hailing his club form.
''If you look at someone like Antoine Semenyo, he has been hitting the goals every week in England. But when it comes to the Black Stars, he hardly performs on the same level.
"For me that is the most crucial aspect he needs to work on or he will end up like Tony Yeboah, who was doing well for his clubs like Leeds United but did not do the same with Ghana.''
9 qualified African teams for 2026 World Cup
In an earlier update, YEN.com.gh reported on the full list of African nations that have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup automatically.
The list includes the Black Stars of Ghana, who secured their place following their 1-0 home success against Comoros on Sunday, October 12 in Accra.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
