Gideon Mensah sets Black Stars’ World Cup target under Carlos Queiroz
Gideon Mensah has outlined Ghana’s immediate objective for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Black Stars intensify preparations under new head coach Carlos Queiroz in Cardiff.
The experienced left-back says the squad is adapting to the demanding training methods introduced by Queiroz, with players undergoing two sessions a day as preparations gather momentum ahead of the tournament in North America.
Mensah, who represented Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, admitted the current camp feels different under the Portuguese manager but believes the players are responding positively to the new approach.
The Auxerre defender also stressed that Ghana must focus on progressing beyond the group stage before thinking about bigger ambitions at the tournament.
“I mean, we are hoping that we do better than our last World Cup, which is to go out of the group stage and then we take it from there,” Mensah said.
“I mean we can aim to go to the finals and to win the World Cup, but then it needs to start from somewhere.”
The defender explained that the Black Stars are determined to avoid a repeat of their early exit in Qatar and instead build gradually through the competition.
“So, if we are to go to the last World Cup, then I think we have to also focus on getting out of the group stage and then from there we can look into what will happen,” he added.
Ghana face a difficult challenge in Group L, where they will come up against Panama, England and Croatia in the opening phase of the competition.
The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama in Toronto before facing England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.
With Queiroz now overseeing preparations, Ghana are hoping a renewed tactical direction and experienced core can help the team make a stronger impact at the global tournament.
