**Carlos Queiroz Finalizes Ghana’s 26-Man Roster for 2026 World Cup**
Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz has officially locked in his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following a week-long training camp at Dragon Park in Cardiff, the technical team has made the difficult final cuts, with Ajax’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Paul Reverson and Hearts of Oak’s Solomon Agbasi the two players released from the provisional list.
Queiroz emphasized that Reverson’s exclusion was not a reflection of his talent, but rather a strategic decision to lean on more experienced options for the tournament. The young Ajax prospect is viewed as a long-term prospect for the Black Stars. Interestingly, Agbasi will remain with the squad as an emergency backup throughout the tournament, allowing him to participate in training and stay prepared should the need arise.
**The Challenges Ahead**
The squad announcement comes with the bitter reality of several high-profile absences. Ghana will head to North America without some of their biggest stars, most notably Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, whose recovery from quad surgery proved unsuccessful. The defense will also be shorthanded, missing Monaco’s Mohammed Salisu and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey, both sidelined by ACL injuries.
In a cruel turn of events, defender Alexander Djiku—initially expected to lead the backline—was ruled out after arriving in camp with a knock sustained in the Russian Cup final. He has been replaced by Derrick Luckassen. Additionally, veteran forward Andre Ayew has been left off the roster, as Queiroz looks to pivot toward a younger, faster attacking unit.
**The Road to the Knockouts**
Ghana faces a challenging path in Group L. Their 2026 campaign kicks off against Panama on Wednesday, June 17, at BMO Field in Toronto. They will then head to Boston to take on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23, before wrapping up their group stage matches against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.
Before the action begins in North America, Ghana has one final tune-up: a historic friendly against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 2. It marks the first time the two nations have met on the pitch and the first time Wales has hosted an African team.
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**Ghana’s Final 26-Man Squad**
**Goalkeepers:** Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick's Athletic)
**Defenders:** Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
**Midfielders:** Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
**Forwards/Wingers:** Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzeň)