Ghana Football Association Executive Council member Frederick Acheampong has revealed that the Black Stars’ primary target at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is to advance beyond the group stage and secure a place in the knockout rounds.
The Black Stars have been drawn in a challenging Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Despite the difficult opposition, Ghana remains determined to progress past the first round of the tournament for the first time since their memorable run at the 2010 World Cup.
Acheampong expressed confidence in newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz, who took over the national team in April following the departure of Otto Addo a month earlier. According to him, the Portuguese tactician is fully aware of the expectations placed on the team.
“Our target is to reach the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We believe Carlos Queiroz understands that objective,” Acheampong stated.
Queiroz has also made it clear that qualification from the group stage is a key objective for his technical team. Following Ghana’s 1-1 draw against Wales in an international friendly, the experienced coach emphasized the importance of advancing to the next phase of the competition.
“At the end of 270 minutes, we have to qualify for the second round,” the 73-year-old stated after Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Wales in a recent international friendly.
Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field before taking on England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium. The Black Stars will conclude their Group L fixtures with a crucial encounter against Croatia on June 27.
With preparations intensifying ahead of the global tournament, expectations remain high as Ghana aims to make a strong impact and secure a place among the final 16 nations.
