Ayew Captains, Partey Included in Ghana’s Final 2026 World Cup Squad

​ACCRA — Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has waited until the eleventh hour to finalize his 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, delivering a selection packed with elite European experience, high-stakes gambles, and a few agonizing absences.

​The Black Stars are finalizing preparations to travel across the Atlantic for their fifth World Cup appearance. Before boarding the plane to North America, Ghana will fine-tune their tactics against Wales in a high-profile friendly match in Cardiff this Tuesday.

​The Midfield Gamble and Key Absences

​Headlining the midfield selection is former Arsenal star Thomas Partey. The 32-year-old Villarreal midfielder has been included in the traveling party despite a looming legal battle in the United Kingdom, where he is due to stand trial on charges of rape and sexual assault. Partey has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges.

​While Partey’s inclusion provides a massive boost to the squad’s central core, the midfield will sorely miss the creative spark of Tottenham winger Mohammed Kudus, who was entirely ruled out of the tournament after failing to recover from a severe injury.

​In Kudus’s absence, the veteran leadership mantle falls entirely on Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew, who has been officially named captain of the Black Stars for the tournament.

​Semenyo Leads the Attack

​Queiroz’s attacking frontline looks formidable, spearheaded by Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo. The 26-year-old forward has enjoyed a meteoric rise after securing a blockbuster £62.5 million move from Bournemouth in January. Semenyo justified his massive price tag by netting 11 goals in 27 appearances for the English champions, making him Ghana’s most in-form weapon heading into the tournament.

​Ghana has been placed in a grueling Group L alongside football powerhouses England and Croatia, as well as a resilient Panama side. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, officially kicks off on June 11, with the Black Stars opening their campaign against Panama six days later on June 17.

​The Official 26-Man Roster

1.Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s)

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2.Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos)

3.Midfielders: Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Etienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu (Leicester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta)

4.Forwards: Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)