Ghana vs Wales: Black Stars Step Up Preparations for Pre-World Cup Match With 16 Players
- The Black Stars of Ghana have intensified preparations for their pre-World Cup friendly against Wales on June 2
- Returnee Baba Rahman joined 15 other players as coach Carlos Queiroz supervised another training session in Cardiff
- Reports also suggest Ghana could face Honduras in an additional warm-up game before the start of the World Cup
- A sports journalist weighed in on Ghana's preparations ahead of the clash against the European nation in an interview with YEN.com.gh
Ghana's senior men's national team, the Black Stars, have ramped up preparations for their upcoming pre-World Cup friendly against Wales, scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, in Cardiff.
The match forms part of the country's build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the technical team using it to fine-tune tactics and assess player readiness.
Source: Twitter
Ghana steps up preparations for Wales clash
On the training ground, intensity has clearly risen. A total of 16 players took part in Tuesday’s focused session under head coach Carlos Queiroz, as the squad begins to take shape in Wales.
Among those involved was returnee Baba Rahman, whose comeback has attracted attention.
The Greece-based defender had been absent from national duty since September 2023 after stepping away following reported fan abuse.
His inclusion in Queiroz’s 28-man squad for the Wales fixture has sparked debate, but the left-back has already settled back into camp. He was among three late arrivals who joined training in Cardiff.
The trio – Rahman, Dutch-born goalkeeper Paul Reverson, and winger Christopher Bonsu Baah - linked up with the squad on Tuesday, May 26.
According to Ghanafa.org, they arrived in the morning and trained with the group in the afternoon at Dragon Park.
Their arrival pushed the number of players in camp to 16, following 13 earlier arrivals on Monday.
Source: Twitter
Black Stars squad begins to take shape
The early arrivals include Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jordan Ayew, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Elisha Owusu, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Jerome Opoku, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi, and Alidu Seidu.
Queiroz is expected to conduct another training session on Wednesday, May 27, as more players join camp in the coming days.
Watch the Black Stars players train in Cardiff, as shared on YouTube:
It also marks his first full involvement with on-pitch preparations, after missing earlier sessions and Ghana’s 2-0 defeat to Mexico, which assistant coach Desmond Offei handled.
The Portuguese coach has placed strong emphasis on discipline, unity, and structure and will be hoping to build cohesion quickly before the World Cup begins.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Ghana could add another warm-up match against Honduras as part of their final preparation phase.
Black Stars' preparation vs Wales analysed
Sharing his assessment of Ghana’s preparations ahead of the Wales friendly, Fitmann Jaarah of Daily Guide Network and Focus FM told YEN.com.gh that the Black Stars’ approach signals a well-structured and purposeful build-up to the World Cup.
“I view Ghana’s decision to step up preparations for the pre-World Cup friendly against Wales with a 16-man squad as a clear indication of a focused and structured build-up phase. It reflects a deliberate effort by the technical team to sharpen tactical cohesion while closely managing player fitness ahead of more demanding assignments,” he said.
Jaarah added that the setup gives the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to evaluate player combinations and individual performances in a controlled environment, away from the intensity of full competition.
“This approach also allows the coaching staff to assess combinations and individual performances in a controlled environment without the pressure of a full competitive setting. It is an important stage for identifying the right balance between experience and form as Ghana edges closer to final squad selection for the World Cup,” he noted.
He concluded that the current phase goes beyond the Wales fixture itself, stressing its importance in shaping a competitive Black Stars team identity.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
Their campaign begins on June 17 in Toronto against Panama, before meetings with England and Croatia in the following group fixtures.
True reason behind Rahman's Black Stars return
In a previous publication, YEN.com.gh reported that the real reason behind Baba Rahman’s surprise return to the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup has finally surfaced.
Earlier attempts by former coaches Chris Hughton and Otto Addo to bring him back to the squad were unsuccessful until his recent change of heart.
Source: YEN.com.gh
