In a surprising move, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has omitted several prominent names from his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The former Borussia Dortmund tactician revealed the squad today, May 29, 2024, at the Ghana Football Association’s Conference Room in Osu, Accra.
Notable absentees include Dede Ayew, Baba Iddrissu, Inaki Williams (due to a foot injury), Majeed Ashimeru (suffering from a left calf muscle tear), Joseph Paintsil, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey.
Ghana is set to face Mali on Thursday, June 7, 2024, followed by a home fixture against the Central African Republic on Monday, June 10, 2024, in the World Cup qualifiers.
Here is the full 26-man squad announced by Otto Addo:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Jojo Wollacott, and Frederick Asare (Asante Kotoko).
Defenders: Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Ebenezer Annan (FK Novi Pazar), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce Istanbul), Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Midfielders: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyon), Salis Abdul Samed (RC Lens), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari Calcio), Edmund Addo (FK Radnicki Nis), Thomas Partey (FC Arsenal), Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre), Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge).
Forwards: Osman Bukari (RS Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City, on loan from Sporting CP), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Ibrahim Osman (FC Nordsjaelland), Kamaldeen Sulemana (FC Southampton), Brandon Thomas-Asante (West Bromwich).
