“I have full trust in the 26 players”- Carlos Queiroz
The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament after securing qualification for the expanded competition to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama, Ghana will begin their campaign against the Central American side before facing two of Europe’s strongest teams in the remaining group matches.
Following the announcement of his final 26-man squad, Queiroz explained that the selection process involved months of detailed work and consultation before arriving at the final list.
“It was a long, intensive process. Full of detail. Weeks, day and night, of observation, analysis, conversations with club coaches, and consultations with everyone around our players. After that systematic process, I’m fully confident. I have full trust in the 26 players I’ve put in the squad,” he said.
The Portuguese tactician’s squad features a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent, although only one locally based player made the travelling party for the tournament.
Despite not being part of the official 26-man roster, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi will remain with the team throughout the World Cup as an additional squad member.
Queiroz revealed that the arrangement is intended to provide extra security in the goalkeeping department should any unforeseen circumstances arise during the tournament.
“Actually, my squad has 27 players. We have the privilege to have another player with us — a goalkeeper — who accepts to be part of our team, part of our training, and ready if something happens in that department. That gives me comfort and confidence before the World Cup. This may be new to a lot of people — an additional player not in the official 26, but a squad member,” he added.
Before heading to North America, the Black Stars will take on Wales in an international friendly on June 2. The match is expected to serve as Ghana’s final major test as Queiroz fine-tunes his tactical plans ahead of the tournament’s opening week.
Ghana’s World Cup history includes appearances in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their finest moment came in South Africa in 2010, where they reached the quarter-finals and came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
With the countdown to the World Cup nearing its end, Queiroz remains convinced that the players at his disposal have the quality and commitment needed to compete on the global stage.
