GFA Abandons Plans for Final World Cup Warm-Up Match for Black Stars
The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that the Black Stars will not play another international friendly before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to efforts to arrange a final preparatory fixture for the national team.
Ghana’s technical team had hoped to give head coach Carlos Queiroz one last opportunity to evaluate his squad following the 1-1 draw against Wales in Cardiff earlier this month. The proposed match was intended to provide additional game time before the Black Stars begin their World Cup campaign in North America.
The GFA explored the possibility of organizing a closed-door friendly and held discussions with both Jamaica and Honduras as potential opponents.
However, negotiations failed to progress after the two countries did not provide responses within the required timeframe.
Explaining the situation, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum revealed that the association had already taken significant steps to make the fixture possible.
“Once we were the ones calling for this friendly, it means all costs come to us,” Asante Twum told JoySports.
The GFA official added that although a venue had been secured, the process stalled due to the lack of commitment from the prospective opponents.
“We succeeded in securing the venue, but the opponents did not give us positive feedback.”
He further indicated that plans for an additional match have effectively been shelved.
“As we speak, there is nothing on the table.”
“At this moment, it does not look likely. The coach wants us to focus on training for now.”
With no further friendlies scheduled, Queiroz and his technical staff will concentrate on training sessions and tactical preparations as the Black Stars continue their build-up to the tournament.
Ghana recently completed a training camp in Wales before relocating to the United States, where the squad is preparing for its opening World Cup fixture.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L and will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group-stage matches.
While another warm-up game would have provided valuable match practice, the coaching staff now appear focused on maximizing training time as they prepare the team for the challenges that lie ahead at football’s biggest tournament.
