03

Jun
2026

Ghana appoint Queiroz as coach for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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ghana football

Black Stars legend Michael Essien also encouraged young players and their families to embrace the opportunities available through the programme. Founder of Coachhene Sports Club, Emmanuel Afranie Jnr, described the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening pathways for young Ghanaian players in the diaspora. With more than 200 attendees present, the programme brought together parents, young footballers, academy representatives, and key stakeholders connected to Ghana football in what proved to be an inspiring and forward-looking session. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Wales vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics.

Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion.

AFCON and World Cup campaigns offer substantial bonus structures, with qualification and progression bonuses reaching six figures for deep tournament runs. Ghana’s football export business thrives as European clubs compete for Black Stars talent. Mohammed Kudus’ £55 million transfer to Tottenham demonstrates the financial opportunities available to Ghana’s elite prospects through strategic European moves. The Black Stars had also lost their previous four games and failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations despite a squad featuring Premier League-based players such as Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo. “The level of talent and professionalism we witnessed here was very encouraging.

ghana football

Lizzy Sports combines football, fitness, and personal development in a supportive environment. Right to Dream focuses on academic excellence, character development, and world-class football training. Below is a detailed breakdown of Ghana’s leading football academies, their fees, and what they offer. Ghana’s success in African and global football is closely linked to its network of grassroots academies. Complete guide to the top football academies in Ghana and their fees for 2025.

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While injuries disrupted parts of his campaign, the 28-year-old has continued to play a key role for LA Galaxy. This season, he has registered four goals and three assists in 17 appearances across all competitions and has remained a regular starter whenever fit. The development has effectively ended Paintsil’s hopes of making the tournament and has sparked debate among Ghanaian football followers, especially considering the winger’s performances at club level over the last two seasons. The youth arm of Accra Great Olympics FC, nurturing young players to join the club’s senior squad. Football is more than just a sport in Ghana — it is a passion, a culture, and a pathway to global opportunities.

About our Ghana National Football Team news

Alexander Djiku was a decent centre-back option for the Ghana national football team in recent years. He did make it to the preliminary squad, but wasn’t included in the final list of players. The 31-year-old currently plays for Spartak Moscow and his performances have not been up to the mark this season. The Tottenham Hotspur star could’ve played an important role for the Ghana national football team, but has been left out due to an injury. The final list of players to represent the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been unveiled. The Wales friendly on June 2 is probably Ghana’s final preparatory match before the World Cup.

  • The problem is structural; when a football association retains local assistants, influences backroom composition, the question of who ultimately controls selection cannot be answered by citing a scouting database.
  • The game was first introduced in the country by European merchants in the late 19th century.
  • By announcing 28 names rather than 26, the GFA has guaranteed a second wave of controversy.
  • Domestic football in Ghana cannot compete financially with even mid-tier European opportunities.
  • Ghana finally announced its World Cup squad late on Monday after coach ​Carlos Queiroz was forced to juggle last-minute injury concerns ‌before finalising his 26-man selection.
  • Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season.
  • Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Jeffrey Schlupp was left out of the final squad and his agent went public with accusations of corruption within the GFA.
  • Under Okraku, a fresh start was given to the sport in Ghana, and it enhanced the performance of the men’s and women’s teams.
  • Nimley went further by comparing Paintsil’s performances with some of the players who made the squad and insisted the Galaxy winger has done enough to merit consideration.
  • A manager who is taking the full-time head coach role, understanding the high hopes that come with the job, the pressure will be on Addo to deliver results from the first whistle.
  • In 2026, the Black Cats will be keen to live up to the reputation of being a dark-horse team in the past, considering the fact that it will be their 5th appearance in the FIFA World Cups.
  • Ghana’s midfield is powered by Thomas Partey of Villareal and Caleb Yirenkyi, a promising player from Nordsjaelland.

Sports traffickers target young athletes

Ghana and England have met just once before – a friendly at Wembley in March 2011 when Gyan scored a late equaliser for the Black Stars in a 1-1 draw. “When it comes to world football, England are up there, but as a Ghanaian, I have to root for my boys. “We deserve to qualify for the World Cup in terms of how we played in the qualifiers. But in the AFCON qualifiers, it was a big disaster, we didn’t play that much to our level. “When you watch our World Cup games and then the AFCON qualifiers, there was a huge difference. There were a lot of criticisms around after failing to qualify for AFCON but the World Cup is huge. With strong collaboration between the GFA, Coachhene Sports Club, Prince Lamona Consult, and the Ghana High Commission, the future of Ghana football continues to look increasingly bright. Ghana previous match was against Mexico in International Friendly Games, the match ended with result (Mexico won the match).

The GFA has played a key role in pushing men’s and women’s football to new heights in Ghana and helping the sport gain a cult following in the country. Despite the fact that the Federation is located in Accra, Ghana, two venues serve as the home ground of the Ghana National Football Team. Currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA World Rankings, GFA will be focused on enhancing and helping the team reach back to the heights of being ranked 14th once again in the world of football. The Ghana National Football Team is going to be part of Group L alongside the likes of Croatia, England, and Panama in the 23rd edition of the tournament. Ghana is part of the CAF, the football confederation representing African nations, and will be keen to make it beyond the quarterfinals stage under the stewardship of coach Otto Addo.

Home Stadium of the Ghana National Football Team

The Ajax man was present in the preliminary squad, but due to competition for the position, he might not have received a call-up from Carlos Queiroz. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our daily email alert of the top transfer stories. “When the World Cup draw was made, I saw the game in my mind. We made history and I’ve been part of that game to score that incredible goal. I’m very happy about that especially playing against England.”

Cyprus-based Derrick Luckassen replaces Alexander Djiku in Carlos Queiroz’s Black Stars final squad for 2026 World Cup

  • The answer the GFA and technical team would give is that it provides flexibility, as Queiroz can assess players in training, observe how they respond to the camp environment, and make his final two cuts on informed rather than assumed grounds.
  • If you’re serious about developing your football career, choosing the right academy is a big step toward achieving your dream.
  • With players like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus likely to be in the final 26-man squad, the modern iteration of the Ghana National Football Team has all the chances of making life difficult for all the teams in Group L.
  • The Ghana National Football Team is going to be part of Group L alongside the likes of Croatia, England, and Panama in the 23rd edition of the tournament.
  • It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall.
  • The Communications Director revealed that the technical team reviewed approximately 200 player videos and monitored 170 matches live.
  • Addo was relieved of his duties after the March international break, in which the Black Stars lost to Germany and Austria in friendlies.
  • Lizzy Sports combines football, fitness, and personal development in a supportive environment.
  • Below is a detailed breakdown of Ghana’s leading football academies, their fees, and what they offer.
  • Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level.
  • “When it comes to world football, England are up there, but as a Ghanaian, I have to root for my boys.
  • The event began with a coaching session led by World Rugby Coach Educator and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Rafatu Inusah.

Right to Dream is Ghana’s most renowned academy, known for producing players who succeed in Europe and beyond. Whether you are a parent supporting your child’s dream or a player aiming for greatness, this guide will help you make the right choice. If you’re looking for the complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025), this detailed guide explains everything you need to know. You will discover the most reputable academies, their locations, fees, facilities, enrollment processes, and what sets each apart.

Nations FC suffer Ghana Premier League relegation ahead of MTN FA Cup Final

The team with the largest stadium is Asante Kotoko with the capacity of 40528. The top scorers in the last season of Ghana Premier League Premier League 25/26 season were Kumi Attah.Last season top scorer is Kumi Attah with 18 goals. Sofascore tracks live football scores and Ghana Premier League table, results, statistics and top scorers. Across those appearances, he has overseen 13 World Cup matches, recording three wins, four draws and six defeats.

  • “We must invest in young talents, create opportunities for them, and give them hope.
  • “Tonight, as we officially unveil Asamoah Gyan as Ambassador of the Ghana Football Association for our National Teams, particularly the Black Stars and Colts Football, we are not simply appointing a former player,” he stated.
  • The 73-year-old Portuguese has substantial World Cup experience having previously overseen South Africa, Portugal and Iran on the global stage.
  • This academy has built a reputation for consistency in developing competitive players.
  • An interpreter was also present throughout the event to facilitate communication among players, coaches and officials.
  • MTN FA Cup chairman Wilson Arthur says the growing commercial pressures in Ghana football have forced most GPL clubs into…
  • For now, however, another World Cup dream has slipped away from one of Ghana’s most exciting attacking talents.
  • There are also all Ghana scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future.
  • Kudus’ £150,000 weekly Tottenham contract represents the new benchmark for Ghanaian player salaries in Europe’s elite leagues.
  • “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA stated.
  • In fact, Ghana have not won any of their matches since qualifying for the World Cup, in which they topped their group, and face Wales in a friendly on Tuesday.

Carlos Queiroz Names Final Ghana World Cup Squad as Two Goalkeepers Miss Out

This academy has built a reputation for consistency in developing competitive players. This academy is run by Accra Hearts of Oak SC, one of Ghana’s oldest football clubs. Founded by former Ghanaian football star Marcel Desailly, this academy emphasizes holistic training.

ghana football

Matches

The comments are likely to generate fresh discussions among supporters, particularly because Paintsil has remained one of Ghana’s most productive attacking players abroad in recent years. Nimley went further by comparing Paintsil’s performances with some of the players who made the squad and insisted the Galaxy winger has done enough to merit consideration. Paintsil missed out on the previous World Cup after then Black Stars coach Otto Addo omitted him from the final squad, and a similar situation appears to have unfolded under new Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz. Medeama Sporting Club head coach Ibrahim Tanko has pointed to the trust given to him by President of the club… No academy can guarantee contracts, but they significantly improve a player’s chances by offering exposure and development.

Top five players left out of Ghana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final squad ft. Mohammed Kudus

ghana football

Queiroz brings extensive World Cup experience to the role, having previously managed at four editions of the tournament. GFA Technical Director Prof. Mintah also expressed satisfaction with the quality displayed during the exercise. Players aged between U15 and U20 from leading academies including Chelsea FC, Everton FC, Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC were assessed during the session held in Bromley. The Black Stars are going to face tough competition in the group stage as they will take on Panama, England and Croatia.

Ghana name 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Antoine Semenyo

Kudus’ £150,000 weekly Tottenham contract represents the new benchmark for Ghanaian player salaries in Europe’s elite leagues. His £200,000 weekly salary made him one of the Premier League’s highest-paid African players before his 2025 Villarreal move. Ghana have previously reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 — the best performance by an African team at the time — and will be hoping to make a renewed impact in 2026.

Carlos Queiroz names 2026 FIFA World Cup squad

The event was also attended by British-Ghanaian rugby player and advocate, Zainab Alema. Match officials, coaches and medical personnel received briefings on the communication needs of deaf athletes before the competition commenced. The event began with a coaching session led by World Rugby Coach Educator and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Rafatu Inusah.

Ghana’s World Cup group stage fixtures

And yes, history often remembers https://aviatorghana.pro/how-to-play-aviator/ moments of heartbreak,” President Simeon-Okraku said. He also revisited the unforgettable 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa, where Ghana stood on the brink of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. The GFA President reflected on Gyan’s defining moments on football’s biggest stage, particularly his exploits at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Deaf Rugby Team was accompanied by its coach and president, Yaw Kunadu, as well as Rugby Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Authority, Kumasi, Owusu Amuah, and interpreter Gifty Sammy.

For today’s football schedule and results visit our football live score page. There are also all Ghana scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Malawi vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics. The GFA is responsible for monitoring and arranging the smooth functioning of the footballing system and activities in Ghana.

Ghana are due to announce their official 26-man squad on June 1, a day before the friendly against Wales in Cardiff on June 2. That means two players currently in camp will be cut, and in theory players currently absent could still be added before the FIFA deadline. There was nothing, not a single footballing reason that required the GFA to name 28 players, generate a week of public debate, and then quietly trim out two names the day before the friendly against Wales. There are also statistics for each player in all competitions with all total played and started matches, minutes played, number of goals scored, number of cards and much more. The Black Cats have played in two grounds over the years, but don’t have a dedicated national stadium.

The engagement session served as the curtain raiser for the Ghana talent identification programme, with Category One academy assessments scheduled to continue on Thursday. Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson praised the unity and enthusiasm shown throughout the event and reaffirmed the High Commission’s support for the initiative. The event was expertly moderated by respected BBC presenter and Communications Director of Coachhene Sports Club, George Addo Jnr, whose leadership helped guide meaningful conversations around talent development, identity, and opportunity. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our email alert of the day’s top stories from the UK and around the world. Latest Ghana football news, including the latest updates on the Ghana Premier League, Ghana FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and much more.

Match Progress for Ghana in 2024

The team has played in venues like Baba Yara Stadium and Accra Sports Stadium over the years. Both stadiums individually have a total seating capacity of 40,000 and have been used by domestic clubs playing in the Ghanaian Premier League. In 2026, the Black Cats will be keen to live up to the reputation of being a dark-horse team in the past, considering the fact that it will be their 5th appearance in the FIFA World Cups. With players like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus likely to be in the final 26-man squad, the modern iteration of the Ghana National Football Team has all the chances of making life difficult for all the teams in Group L. This academy focuses on creating pathways for young players to professional football locally and internationally. WAFA competes in Ghana’s top football leagues, providing players with elite competition experience.

Trending Ghana News

The naming of a 28 then 26 format might seem like a minor procedural detail. But it is symptomatic of a broader culture in which the GFA manages its own exposure rather than prioritising clarity for fans and respect for players. Players left out need a clear explanation as to why they have been left out, so does every supporter who has spent a week debating a squad that is not yet technically final. To the GFA’s credit, they have gone to considerable lengths to explain the current process. The Communications Director revealed that the technical team reviewed approximately 200 player videos and monitored 170 matches live. We may have video highlights with goals and news for some Ghana matches, but only if they play their match in one of the most popular football leagues.

Ghana’s worst performances have tended to come under coaches who operated in an environment where GFA influence was most visible. Carlos Queiroz, with his extensive international experience managing Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and others, may prove harder to manage internally than his predecessors. But the structures that enabled interference have not been dismantled, they have simply received a new occupant at the top. If the 28-man list is functionally the World Cup squad with only two spots to be resolved, why name 28 at all? The answer the GFA and technical team would give is that it provides flexibility, as Queiroz can assess players in training, observe how they respond to the camp environment, and make his final two cuts on informed rather than assumed grounds. The 28-man list announced on May 25 is not, strictly speaking, the final World Cup squad.

Ghana Premier League

ghana football

If you’re serious about developing your football career, choosing the right academy is a big step toward achieving your dream. WAFA has produced many players for the Ghanaian national team and European clubs. “We must invest in young talents, create opportunities for them, and give them hope. I want to appeal to corporate Ghana to support football development because the future of our game depends on what we build today,” he added. For Queiroz, the role represents another chapter in a long international career, but also a unique challenge — guiding one of Africa’s most storied national teams on the world stage.

On average, tuition and training fees range between ₵5,000 to ₵50,000 per year in 2025. Ghana football icon and former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan, is on a new chapter of national service after being unveiled as Ambassador for Ghana’s national football teams and colts football by the Ghana Football Association. On the field, the athletes displayed impressive skill, determination and sportsmanship. The Deaf Rugby Team earned praise for its resilience and competitiveness despite limited access to some of the specialised equipment commonly used in deaf rugby competitions.

Medeama crowned 2025/26 Ghana Premier League Champions in grand coronation triumph

Ghana National Football Team is on par with top African teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Morocco, while showcasing the dominant mentality in its confederation, and has won the biggest trophies in African football. The Black Cats have won four African Cup of Nations titles, the third most in the continent’s history. As one of the established sides in its confederation, the Ghana National Football Team has shown themselves to be a team capable of beating teams with quality players who play in top leagues around the world. Under Addo, the goal for the national team will be to secure a way through a tough group phase with minimal damage and make it deep into the tournament and possibly beyond the quarterfinals stage. “Our vision is to build strong national teams for the future by identifying the best Ghanaian talents wherever they may be in the world. Programmes like this are critical to strengthening our talent pipeline and creating opportunities for young players to represent Ghana at the highest level,” he stated.

West African Football Academy (WAFA)

  • If you’re looking for the complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025), this detailed guide explains everything you need to know.
  • The public would have had the information it deserved without being strung along through a two-stage announcement that serves the administration more than it serves the supporters, the players, or the coach.
  • Both stadiums individually have a total seating capacity of 40,000 and have been used by domestic clubs playing in the Ghanaian Premier League.
  • The FOX family of networks and the FOX Sports app are your complete home for World Cup content, including live matches, complete highlights, commentary and analysis, and full-match replays.
  • With strong collaboration between the GFA, Coachhene Sports Club, Prince Lamona Consult, and the Ghana High Commission, the future of Ghana football continues to look increasingly bright.
  • Lizzy Sports combines football, fitness, and personal development in a supportive environment.
  • Ghana is part of the CAF, the football confederation representing African nations, and will be keen to make it beyond the quarterfinals stage under the stewardship of coach Otto Addo.
  • Latest Ghana football news, including the latest updates on the Ghana Premier League, Ghana FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and much more.
  • Complete guide to the top football academies in Ghana and their fees for 2025.
  • In 2010, Ghana narrowly missed making it to the FIFA World Cup semifinals before losing to Uruguay in one of the most thrilling games in the competition’s history.
  • The Ghana National Football Team is going to be part of Group L alongside the likes of Croatia, England, and Panama in the 23rd edition of the tournament.
  • The answer the GFA and technical team would give is that it provides flexibility, as Queiroz can assess players in training, observe how they respond to the camp environment, and make his final two cuts on informed rather than assumed grounds.

Ghana finally announced its World Cup squad late on Monday after coach ​Carlos Queiroz was forced to juggle last-minute injury concerns ‌before finalising his 26-man selection. By announcing 28 names rather than 26, the GFA has guaranteed a second wave of controversy. On June 1, when two players are dropped, there will be new headlines, new accusations, and new questions about why those specific two were cut. The process that was supposedly designed to reduce uncertainty has instead created a fortnight of rolling debate where a single announcement on May 25 would have sufficed.

The Ghana Rugby Football Union said it intends to work with national and international partners to expand programmes for deaf athletes and promote greater inclusion in rugby across the country. A major highlight of the competition was the participation of the Deaf Rugby Team, which was established through a collaboration between Coach Hakim and Madam Inusah. The initiative began four years ago in Kumasi to introduce deaf athletes to rugby and provide a pathway for their development in the sport. Established players in their late 20s often maximize earnings through lucrative Asian or Middle Eastern contracts. These leagues pay 2-3 times European salaries, allowing players to secure financial futures before retirement. Ghanaian players earn $8,000-$15,000 per match depending on competition importance.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Coach Hene Sporting Club, Ghanaians in the UK and Prince Lamona Consult, is aimed at identifying and engaging elite young talents to strengthen Ghana’s national teams for the future. The absence from the 2018 FIFA World Cup competition still haunts the national football team fans and its players, who will be highly motivated to make their 5th appearance a memorable one. Star players like Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Mohammed Salisu bring fresh hopes and expectations for the Black Cats at the FIFA World Cup. The complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025) above shows that Ghana continues to invest in grassroots football, producing talents that shine locally and abroad.

ghana football

It will be interesting to see how the team responds to his tactics and ideas and how they execute them on the field. The academy maintains its focus on producing technically skilled players for Ghanaian and international clubs. He was unveiled at a ceremony in Accra on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) to signal a renewed commitment to strengthening support for the national teams ahead of Ghana’s fifth appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Organisers described the competition as a demonstration of how sport can break barriers and create opportunities for people of all abilities. The performances of the deaf athletes, they noted, highlighted the potential for deaf rugby to grow in Ghana if given sustained support and competitive opportunities.

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