Ghana delayed its announcement of the final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup until Tuesday, June 2, one of the last teams to do so ahead of the tournament [1, 2]. The squad was originally expected to be revealed on Monday, June 1, but was pushed back amid injury concerns.
Centre back Alexander Djiku was injured during training over the weekend before June 1 and had to withdraw from the squad [1, 2]. Coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed Djiku’s withdrawal at a press conference on Monday, ahead of Ghana’s friendly match against Wales in Cardiff on June 2 [1, 2]. Derrick Luckassen was called up as Djiku’s replacement before the FIFA deadline on June 1 [1, 2].
Key midfielder Mohammed Kudus will miss the World Cup with a thigh injury he sustained in January while playing for Tottenham Hotspur, followed by surgery [1, 2]. Another defensive loss is centre back Mohammed Salisu, who is sidelined after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a Ligue 1 match earlier this year [1, 2].
Fullback Baba Abdul Rahman, 31, has returned to the squad after a three-year absence. He last featured in the 2022 World Cup and one additional international match since then [1, 2].
The expected squad includes goalkeepers Joseph Anang, Benjamin Asare, and Lawrence Ati-Zigi; defenders Jonas Adjetey, Derrick Luckassen, among others; midfielders Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and more; as well as forwards Prince Kwabena Adu, Jordan Ayew, Christopher Bonsu Baah, and Ernest Nuamah [1, 2].
Ghana’s first World Cup match will be against Panama on June 17, 2026, in Toronto. They are grouped with England and Croatia for the opening phase of the tournament [1, 2].