Former Ghana international Yaw Acheampong Joachim believes the Black Stars are capable of springing a major surprise at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, insisting the team should not be underestimated despite a challenging group.
Ghana have qualified for their fifth World Cup appearance and will compete in the expanded tournament hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, and Panama. Ghana will open their campaign against Panama before facing England and Croatia in what is expected to be a demanding group stage.
Speaking in an interview with Koforidua-based Swiit FM, Acheampong Joachim expressed optimism about the team’s progress under head coach Carlos Queiroz and believes Ghana could surprise many at the tournament, which kicks off on June 11, 2026.
“I can see clear improvement in the Black Stars team under coach Carlos Queiroz. No one should underestimate this team. From what I have seen so far, the team can pull a surprise at the 2026 World Cup,” he said.
He added that the tournament could produce several unexpected results, urging fans not to judge the team based solely on friendly matches.
“In fact, I believe there could be many surprises throughout the tournament. We should not judge the team solely based on friendly matches because that is where coaches experiment, develop their game plans, and prepare the team for the real competition,” he explained.
The Black Stars have already arrived in the United States as preparations intensify for the tournament.
Ghana will be making their fifth World Cup appearance, having previously featured in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. Their best performance came in 2010 when they reached the quarterfinals, narrowly missing out on a historic semifinal berth.
As preparations continue, Acheampong Joachim remains confident that Ghana can defy expectations and make a strong impact on the global stage once again.
