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| GHANA BLACK STARS CAMP UPDATE: QUEIROZ NAMES 28-MAN SQUAD, KEY RETURNS AND SHOCK OMISSIONS AHEAD OF WORLD CUP 2026 |
By Dj Harrison Gh | Sports | May 28, 2026
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is well and truly on, and the Ghana Black Stars camp is buzzing with excitement, controversy, and renewed determination. Here is everything happening in the Black Stars camp right now.
Camp Opens In Cardiff
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 28-man squad for the World Cup preparation camp and an international friendly against Wales in Cardiff. The team comprises five goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards, and opened camp on Monday, May 25, 2026, training at the Dragon Park ahead of the Wales friendly on June 2, 2026. (Ghana Football Association)
Greece-based defender Baba Abdul Rahman returns to the team for the first time since September 2023, following consistent performances for PAOK, where he made 35 appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists. Also returning is Olympique Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah, who has been absent for close to a year after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that sidelined him for more than 12 months. (Ghana Football Association)
Not everyone made the cut — and Ghana fans are not happy. Kudus Mohammed, who suffered an injury in January 2026, had been widely expected to return but has not been included, marking a major blow to Ghana's creative options. Andre Ayew has also been left out entirely, while Majeed Ashimeru misses out despite captaining Ghana in the recent friendly against Mexico. Joseph Paintsil's omission is another major talking point among fans. (Ghana Football Association)
Ghana's Black Stars fell 2-0 to Mexico in a pre-World Cup friendly, conceding in each half. Mexico took the lead within two minutes through Brian Gutiérrez and dominated possession, with Guillermo MartÃnez extending the lead in the 54th minute. (Ghstandard) Despite the loss, the match gave coach Queiroz valuable data ahead of finalising his squad.
GFA Director of Communications Henry Asante Twum revealed that the selection was driven by a structured evaluation process involving extensive video analysis, live scouting, and performance tracking — with the technical team reviewing around 200 player videos and monitoring 170 matches live over the scouting period. (GhanaSoccernet)
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars begin their World Cup journey against Panama at BMO Field on June 17, take on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23, and conclude their group stage against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.
Defender Gideon Mensah, who plays for French side AJ Auxerre, has outlined a measured but ambitious approach, stressing the importance of first clearing the group stage before targeting a deep run in the tournament.
Former GFA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, who oversaw Ghana's historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup, has urged Ghanaians to throw their full support behind the Black Stars, saying "Never write off any Ghana team — the time that you have little faith in them is when they spring surprises." (GhanaSoccernet)
What do you think , can the Black Stars go beyond the group stage this time? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 🇬ðŸ‡⚽
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