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Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil hints at surprises in 2026 World Cup squad

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Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil hints at surprises in 2026 World Cup squad

John Paintsil, the Black Stars’ assistant coach, has hinted that there will be surprises when Ghana’s 2026 World Cup team is revealed.

This summer, the senior national team will represent the United States, Canada, and Mexico in a tournament.

Paintsil has indicated that both domestic and foreign players are being considered for selection, with the tournament’s final squad anticipated to be announced on June 1.

“For the Black Stars’ World Cup team, we are concentrating on both domestic and foreign players. There will be many surprises, but all Ghanaians who are eligible to play are welcome. Paintsil informed Asempa FM.

As part of their preparations, the team will regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany.

Ghana has been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will kick off their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

Having exited at the group stage in their previous World Cup appearances in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, the Black Stars are determined to make a stronger showing on football’s biggest stage in 2026.

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Ghana Sports

President Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku arrives in Wa to begin four-day Northern football engagement tour

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President Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku arrives in Wa to begin four-day Northern football engagement tour

Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has arrived in Wa, the capital of the Upper West Region, to formally start his four-day working visit to the three football regions in Northern Ghana.

On Monday morning, the GFA President landed at the Wa Airport, initiating a series of high-level meetings intended to improve stakeholder ties and promote football development throughout the northern corridor.

Alhaji Sadugu Yahaya, the chairman of the Upper West Regional Football Association, and his executives greeted him upon his arrival.

President Simeon-Okraku will have strategic talks with the Upper West Regional Football Association’s chairman, Alhaji Daudi Sadugu Yahaya, when he is in Wa.

He is also scheduled to meet club owners and administrators from the various football divisions in the region, providing a platform to assess challenges, share ideas and explore opportunities for sustainable growth.

As part of the visit, the GFA President will pay a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, Esq, to deliberate on matters of mutual interest, including collaboration between government and football authorities in the development of the game at the regional level.

President Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku arrives in Wa to begin four-day Northern football engagement tour

Beyond the scheduled stakeholder engagements, the President will also undertake inspection visits to ongoing GFA projects in the region, aimed at evaluating progress and ensuring they align with the Football Association’s long-term development vision. His itinerary includes stops at the Malik Jabir Stadium and the newly constructed B.K. Adama Park.

President Simeon-Okraku will round off his engagements in Wa with a traditional visit to the Wa-Naa and the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Alhaji Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo VI, to pay homage and reaffirm the GFA’s respect for traditional leadership in community and youth development.

President Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku arrives in Wa to begin four-day Northern football engagement tour

Following the Upper West leg of the tour, the GFA President and his entourage will make a stop in Tumu before proceeding to the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga, where similar stakeholder engagements with football administrators and club officials are scheduled.

The Northern tour will conclude in Tamale, with President Simeon-Okraku expected to complete the series of consultations with the Northern Regional Football Association and key football stakeholders, reinforcing the GFA’s commitment to inclusive engagement, grassroots development, and nationwide football progress.

President Kurt Edwin Simeon- Okraku arrives in Wa to begin four-day Northern football engagement tour
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Black Stars

The reason why Otto Addo held a meeting with Thomas Partey ahead of the World Cup

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The reason why Otto Addo held a meeting with Thomas Partey ahead of the World Cup

Just hours before Villarreal’s UEFA Champions League matchup with Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, Black Stars coach Otto Addo spoke with deputy captain Thomas Partey. The conversations were positive, with Otto underlining the need for players to keep their shape for the World Cup.

In the 46th minute of Villarreal’s 3-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena, Georges Mikautadze took Thomas Partey’s place. Addo has been keeping an eye on Ghanaian athletes, most recently traveling to Spain to observe Kwasi Sibo, Abdul Mumin, and other players.

The reason why Otto Addo held a meeting with Thomas Partey ahead of the World Cup

He has also checked up on Mohammed Kudus, Tariq Lamptey, Jordan Ayew, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. These visits aim to foster team cohesiveness and togetherness ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.

Ghana’s Group L opponents are Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars World Cup campaign kicks off against Panama on June 17, followed by England (June 23) and Croatia (June 27). Ghana will play Austria and Germany in March as warm-up matches for the World Cup in June.

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Black Stars

Agyemang-Badu: ‘Play Semenyo on the wing to get the best from him’

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Agyemang-Badu: 'Play Semenyo on the wing to get the best from him'

In order to maximize forward Antoine Semenyo’s effect on the national team, former Ghanaian international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has directly pleaded with Black Stars coach Otto Addo to use Semenyo on the wing rather than as a central striker.

Speaking on Akoma FM in Kumasi, Agyemang-Badu said that Ghana is playing the Manchester City player out of position. “Semenyo is not a natural number 9, and we should stop forcing him into that role,” the former midfielder said. “He is more effective on the wings, just as Manchester City are currently using him.”

His comments come as Semenyo enjoys a spectacular start to his career at Manchester City. Since his high-profile £65 million move from Bournemouth in January, the 25-year-old has scored three goals and provided one assist in his first four appearances, quickly becoming a key player for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Agyemang-Badu emphasized that Semenyo’s current form and preferred role at his club should dictate his position for Ghana, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. “He is our poster boy at the moment, and the coach must play him in his preferred position so we can get the very best out of him,” Agyemang-Badu stressed.

“Playing Semenyo on the wings, rather than as a central striker, will allow him to reach his full potential and give the Black Stars an attacking edge in critical matches.”

The former Udinese star’s contribution adds his respected voice to the tactical conversation around the Black Stars, arguing that maximizing Semenyo’s role could be essential to Ghana’s success as they prepare for the global championship in North America.

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Black Stars

‘Focus on Panama, not England or Croatia’ – Agyemang-Badu’s World Cup advice

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'Focus on Panama, not England or Croatia' – Agyemang-Badu's World Cup advice

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, a former midfielder for the Black Stars, has advised the Ghanaian team to focus entirely on their opening 2026 World Cup encounter against Panama, cautioning against early distractions from more well-known opponents.

Agyemang-Badu established a clear focus for the team’s mentality in a speech prior to the competition.

He emphasized the crucial significance of getting the campaign off to a strong start by saying, “The Panama match will be challenging, and that’s where our full concentration should be, not on England or Croatia.”

'Focus on Panama, not England or Croatia' – Agyemang-Badu's World Cup advice

Agyemang-Badu acknowledged that Ghana’s main objective is to go on from the group stage, but he emphasized that doing so only rests on a disciplined and concentrated approach to the opening match.

Additionally, he gave a strong caution about the selection of the squad, stating that only players who are at the highest level of fitness should be taken into consideration for the rigorous competition that will take place in three host countries.

His remarks show the Black Stars’ practical approach, portraying the game against Panama as the pivotal first step that will determine their entire World Cup adventure rather than just another encounter.

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Football World

Chelsea is ready to terminate Raheem Sterling’s contract

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Chelsea is ready to terminate Raheem Sterling’s contract

Sterling has been hesitant to leave Chelsea, his £325,000 weekly deal, despite the fact that his relationship with the club is in ruins.

The athlete, his representatives, and the club are in continuous communication. Although the specifics are still being kept secret, the direction of the discussions is clear.

After the deadline, Sterling is not anticipated to stay with Chelsea. The 31-year-old has been working out apart from the primary first-team squad.

After defender Axel Disasi resumed training, he is now the only player remaining in what has been called Chelsea’s “bomb squad.”

Disasi has been connected to West Ham United, and Chelsea is still anxious to get rid of him.

Sterling, who is nearing the last 18 months of his Chelsea deal, has also drawn interest from the Hammers.

Chelsea wants to sell Sterling permanently, although they have received loan interest in the currency. Additionally, the athlete has made it apparent that he does not want to make another short-term move.

But considering his absurd salary, that’s easier said than done. Since Sterling is Chelsea’s best earning, many clubs find it challenging to match his existing contract.

Another alternative is to terminate the contract early, although doing so would require Chelsea to pay the player a significant amount of the £22 million that is still outstanding.

Chelsea explored loan options with Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen last summer, but Sterling rejected both. He wants to stay in London and remain close to his family. He may be open to joining West Ham and Fulham, but will need to take a massive pay cut to make it happen.

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Ghana Sports

Officiating in Ghana Premier League is worrying, says George Afriyie

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Officiating in Ghana Premier League is worrying, says George Afriyie

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President George Afriyie has expressed serious concern over what he describes as a worrying decline in refereeing standards during the ongoing 2025/26 Ghana Premier League campaign.

The season initially showed great promise, with a noticeable rise in fan turnout at match venues nationwide. However, that positive momentum has recently been dampened by a series of contentious officiating decisions, sparking widespread criticism among football stakeholders.

Speaking on Asempa FM, Afriyie admitted the league began on a strong note but lamented the negative impact of recent developments.

“The Premier League started very well, and attendance improved at the various venues. Unfortunately, allegations and poor refereeing decisions have compromised the integrity of the competition, which is deeply concerning,” he said.

While stopping short of rating the league’s overall performance, Afriyie urged those in charge to take responsibility and act decisively to restore confidence.

“I will not rate the league, but those managing it must sit up and do what is right,” he added.

As part of the solution, Afriyie suggested that the Ghana Football Association consider making changes at the top of the Referees Management Committee, including replacing its leadership, to address the recurring officiating issues.

Meanwhile, despite the growing controversy, matchday 21 fixtures of the Ghana Premier League are set to go ahead as scheduled at various stadia across the country.

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Football World

Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs calls to boycott US-hosted World Cup

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Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs calls to boycott US-hosted World Cup

Citing worries about the behavior of President Donald Trump and his administration, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has supported demands for football fans to avoid the 2019 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

Blatter endorsed remarks made by Swiss anti-corruption specialist Mark Pieth, who questioned the United States’ suitability as a World Cup host, in a post on X on Monday. From June 11 to July 19, the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host the competition.

Fans should not travel to the United States for the event, according to Pieth, a Swiss lawyer who chaired FIFA’s Independent Governance Committee during reforms ten years ago, who spoke to the Swiss newspaper Der Bund.

Ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter backs calls to boycott US-hosted World Cup

“If we consider everything we’ve discussed, there’s only one piece of advice for fans: stay away from the USA,” Pieth said, warning that visitors could face harsh treatment from U.S. authorities, including deportation.

Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 until his resignation in 2015 amid corruption investigations, quoted Pieth’s remarks and added: “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

Concerns within the international football community have grown amid Trump’s expansionist rhetoric, new travel bans, and aggressive immigration enforcement policies. These include restrictions affecting fans from countries whose teams have qualified for the tournament.

Two weeks ago, travel plans for supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast were disrupted after the Trump administration announced a ban that would effectively prevent fans from entering the U.S. unless they already held valid visas. Similar restrictions apply to fans from Iran and Haiti, which were included in an earlier version of the travel ban.

Calls for a boycott have also emerged in Europe. Oke Göttlich, a vice president of the German Football Association, said last week that the time had come to seriously consider boycotting the World Cup.

The tournament has already attracted criticism from fan groups over ticket prices. Dynamic pricing and unprecedented demand have pushed the listed price of a Category 1 ticket for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 to as high as $8,680.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged that resale activity could further inflate prices but downplayed boycott calls, insisting fans would still attend.

“People want to go, and they will go and celebrate together. We always, always celebrate football together,” Infantino said when asked about Blatter’s comments.

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Football World

World Cup 2026: FIFA officially opens media accreditation

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World Cup 2026: FIFA officially opens media accreditation

FIFA has declared that media representatives and non-rights holders (NRHs) can officially apply for media accreditation for the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.

The FIFA Media Hub is the only platform used to manage the media accreditation process.

A systematic, quota-based procedure will be used due to the extremely high demand. Who can apply, how to apply, and when are all explained in this advise.

Key Dates

Accreditation opens: 26 January 2026

Application deadline: 31 March 2026

Who Can Apply

Media accreditation is available for:

Written press (print and digital)

Photographers

International and national news agencies

Radio and TV non-rights holders (limited)

FIFA Media Partners (rights holders)

FIFA Media Partnerships will be directly responsible for the accreditation of FIFA Media Partners (rights-holding media organisations).

The FIFA Media Partnerships team is in regular contact with the Media Partners and will inform them directly about the accreditation procedure and other accreditation-related matters.

A reference document with tips and guidelines for media accreditation is also available below.

FIFA Media Hub – Mandatory

All applications must be submitted via the FIFA Media Hub.

To apply, you must have:

An approved FIFA Media Hub account

Media Hub accounts are personal and must not be shared.

Accreditation Control Keys & Quotas

Accreditation for written press and photographers is managed via FIFA Member Associations.

Each Member Association receives a limited quota based on:

Previous World Cup participation

Qualification status for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Member Associations distribute control keys to media organisations and freelancers.

Media representatives must contact their FIFA Member Association to request a control key.

Radio and television non-rights holders

Non-rights holders (NRHs) are radio and television companies that do not have media rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

NRHs will be able to apply for media accreditation without a control key. We wish to stress that the number of NRH accreditations will be very limited and that the matchday access policies are still to be defined.

For any questions regarding the accreditation of NRHs, please contact nrh@fifa.org.

Host Countries (Canada, Mexico, USA)

Media representatives and freelancers working for organisations based in Canada, Mexico or the United States will follow a process coordinated directly by FIFA. Further information is available on the FIFA Media Hub.

Application & Approval

Applications close on 31 March 2026

All applicants undergo mandatory security check

Accreditation confirmations will be sent starting in March 2026

Media Tickets

Media accreditation does not grant access to matches by default. Accreditation provides access only to the stadium media centre.

Access on matchday to designated media or photo positions, attend press conferences, or access the mixed zone, media representatives must hold a separate, approved media ticket for the specific match.

Without a valid media ticket, stadium entry will be limited, even if accreditation has been approved. Media ticket applications will open shortly after accreditation launches.

Requests must be submitted via the FIFA Media Hub or FIFA Media App

Only accredited applicants may request tickets

At this stage, media tickets can only be requested for group-stage matches.

Media may request a maximum of one match per day

Visas

Media are strongly advised to start their visa application process as early as possible.

Please note that the visa process is not linked to the accreditation process, and media representatives do not need to wait for accreditation approval before applying for a visa.

Please see the Visa Guidelines for further information.

Stay Informed

All official updates, procedures, and FAQs will be published on the FIFA Media Hub. Media representatives are encouraged to check the platform regularly.

For any questions or issues related to your FIFA Media Hub profile or the accreditation process, please contact us via the FIFA Media Hub Contact Form.

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Football World

Ghana winger Ibrahim Osman makes Birmingham City debut in draw against Stoke City

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Ghana winger Ibrahim Osman makes Birmingham City debut in draw against Stoke City

Ghana international Ibrahim Osman made his first appearance for Birmingham City as the Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Stoke City in an English Championship encounter over the weekend.

The 21-year-old winger was handed an immediate start after his arrival, featuring in Birmingham City’s starting XI for the round 29 fixture at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.

Osman joined the Championship side on loan during the ongoing winter transfer window from Brighton & Hove Albion, with the Premier League club opting to terminate his temporary spell at French outfit Auxerre. During his time in Ligue 1, the Ghanaian attacker made 14 appearances and registered two assists.

On his debut, Osman played 56 minutes and showed flashes of his attacking quality, offering pace, movement, and creativity down the flanks in his first outing for the club.

Birmingham City opened the scoring in the 42nd minute through Tomoki Iwata, heading into the interval with a slim advantage. However, Stoke City responded in the second half, restoring parity in the 71st minute after a Phil Neumann own goal.

Despite the stalemate, Osman’s inclusion adds much-needed depth and dynamism to Birmingham City’s attacking options as the season progresses. The Ghanaian winger will now be aiming to settle quickly and make a strong impact in the push for improved league fortunes.

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