Brandon Thomas-Asante, and several players who represented Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been left out of Carlos Queiroz’s latest Black Stars squad for the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
The omissions form part of a significant reshaping of the national team as Queiroz begins a new phase with Ghana following the World Cup. The Portuguese coach has named a 24-man squad that includes returning players, two debutants and Mohammed Kudus, who missed the World Cup through injury.
Among the most notable absentees is Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante, who was part of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup squad and wore the number 10 shirt during the tournament.
Thomas-Asante made an appearance in Ghana’s opening World Cup group match against Panama, coming on as a second-half substitute. He also played a role in the build-up to the goal that secured Ghana a 1-0 victory in that encounter.
Despite that World Cup involvement, the striker has not been included in Queiroz’s latest squad.
His omission comes after a difficult beginning to the new club season. Thomas-Asante has made four league appearances for Coventry City and has accumulated 139 minutes without scoring or registering an assist.
The decision means the forward will have to continue working at club level as he seeks to regain his position within Queiroz’s plans.
His absence also coincides with changes to Ghana’s attacking options. Queiroz has selected Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Ernest Nuamah, Prince Kwabena Adu, Ibrahim Osman and Christopher Bonsu Baah for the international window.
Kudus’ return is particularly significant for the Black Stars attack. The Tottenham midfielder missed Ghana’s World Cup campaign because of injury but has now recovered after a lengthy period on the sidelines and returns to the national team setup.
Another major absentee is experienced midfielder Thomas Partey.
Partey was also part of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup team but has not been selected for the opening AFCON qualifiers. The 32-year-old recently returned to training with Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab after recovering from an injury that had kept him out for around two weeks.
His return to training, however, has not resulted in an immediate return to the Black Stars squad.
Partey’s absence leaves Queiroz without one of Ghana’s most experienced midfielders as the team begins its campaign to return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the 2025 tournament.
The coach has also left out several defenders who were involved in Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
Jonas Adjetey, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg, is among the defensive players missing from the latest selection. The young centre-back was part of Ghana’s final World Cup squad and featured during the tournament, but he has not been retained for the September international window.
Abdul Mumin and Alidu Seidu are also absent from the 24-man squad.
Their omission comes at a time when Queiroz has recalled other defensive options, including Alexander Djiku and Nathaniel Adjei. Nathaniel Adjei returns after almost a year away from the national team, having impressed for French Ligue 1 side Lorient.
Midfielder Elisha Owusu is another player who misses out despite being part of Ghana’s World Cup squad.
Owusu was involved with the Black Stars at the tournament but has not been selected for the opening AFCON qualifiers. His absence, alongside that of Partey, indicates changes in the midfield options available to Queiroz for the new campaign.
Kamaldeen Sulemana is also unavailable for the latest squad. Unlike some of the other omissions, his absence has been linked to injury. The winger, who was part of Ghana’s World Cup team, suffered a knee injury during a Schalke 04 friendly in August and was expected to spend a period on the sidelines.
Marvin Senaya is another player missing from the squad because of injury. The Auxerre defender suffered a significant hamstring injury during Ghana’s World Cup campaign and subsequently underwent surgery in Paris. Reports indicated that he was expected to be sidelined for at least eight weeks.
The situation is different for Iñaki Williams, whose absence is not the result of a selection decision.
The Athletic Club forward announced his retirement from international football on September 11, 2026, bringing his four-year Black Stars career to an end. Williams made 28 appearances for Ghana and scored two goals after switching his international allegiance in 2022. He represented Ghana at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With Williams no longer available and Thomas-Asante left out, Queiroz has had to make changes to the attacking group.
The new-look attack includes a mixture of established players and younger options. Jordan Ayew remains in the squad and continues as captain, while Kudus returns after his lengthy injury absence. Brighton and Hove Albion forward Ibrahim Osman and Christopher Bonsu Baah also provide additional options in the attacking department.
The latest omissions therefore do not simply involve one or two players. They represent a broader change in personnel as Queiroz assesses his options following the World Cup.
At the same time, the coach has opened the door for new faces.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Ronald Donkor has received his maiden senior Black Stars call-up after an impressive MLS campaign, while SV Elversberg defender Jan Gyamerah has also earned his first senior invitation. Both players have been rewarded for their current club form.
Ghana will begin the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29.
The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.
For the players left out, the latest squad provides a clear indication that places in the Black Stars are open to competition. For Thomas-Asante, Partey, Adjetey, Owusu, Mumin and Seidu, a return to the national team will depend on their performances, fitness and availability as the international season progresses.
For Queiroz, the immediate task is to assemble a squad capable of starting Ghana’s AFCON qualification campaign strongly while also developing the group that will carry the Black Stars through the next stage of the national team programme.
