FIFA has officially released the squad numbers for Ghana’s Black Stars ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several notable shirt allocations generating excitement among supporters ahead of the tournament in North America.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz recently confirmed his final 26-man squad for the competition, with Ghana set to compete in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
The Black Stars will head to the tournament with a squad that blends experienced campaigners and emerging talents as they seek to reach the knockout stage for the first time since their memorable run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Injuries Force Changes to Ghana’s World Cup Plans
Queiroz has been forced to make significant adjustments to his squad following injuries to several key players.
West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the tournament, while experienced defender Alexander Djiku is also unavailable after failing to recover from injury in time for the competition.
Another major absentee is central defender Mohammed Salisu, who suffered a serious ACL injury during the club season, ruling him out of Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
The absence of these influential players means a number of younger and less experienced squad members will have the opportunity to step up on football’s biggest stage.
More than half of Ghana’s final squad will be participating in a FIFA World Cup for the first time, highlighting the beginning of a new era for the national team under Queiroz.
Jordan Ayew Leads the Squad
Captain Jordan Ayew remains one of the most experienced members of the squad and will wear his familiar number nine shirt.
The forward is the only player in the squad preparing for a third FIFA World Cup appearance after featuring in both the 2014 and 2022 editions of the tournament.
Several senior players have retained shirt numbers associated with them in recent years. Thomas Partey will wear number five, while Athletic Club striker Inaki Williams keeps number 19.
Antoine Semenyo has been assigned number 11 following a remarkable season at club level, while Baba Rahman returns with the number 17 shirt as he prepares for his World Cup comeback.
In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi has been entrusted with the prestigious number one jersey, while Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare will wear number 16.
Brandon Thomas-Asante Handed Iconic Number 10 Shirt
Perhaps the most surprising decision from the squad number list is the allocation of Ghana’s famous number 10 jersey.
With long-time wearer Andre Ayew omitted from the final squad and Mohammed Kudus unavailable due to injury, the iconic shirt has been handed to Coventry City forward Brandon Thomas-Asante.
The 26-year-old is set to feature in his first FIFA World Cup and will carry one of the most prestigious numbers in Ghanaian football history.
The number 10 shirt has previously been worn by some of Ghana’s greatest players, making Thomas-Asante’s selection for the jersey a significant vote of confidence from the technical team.
Full Black Stars Squad Numbers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Lawrence Ati-Zigi
- Alidu Seidu
- Caleb Yirenkyi
- Jonas Adjetey
- Thomas Partey
- Abdul Mumin
- Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
- Kwasi Sibo
- Jordan Ayew
- Brandon Thomas-Asante
- Antoine Semenyo
- Joseph Anang
- Christopher Bonsu Baah
- Gideon Mensah
- Elisha Owusu
- Benjamin Asare
- Baba Rahman
- Jerome Opoku
- Inaki Williams
- Augustine Boakye
- Kojo Oppong Peprah
- Kamaldeen Sulemana
- Derrick Luckassen
- Ernest Nuamah
- Prince Kwabena Adu
- Marvin Senaya
Black Stars Ready for World Cup Challenge
Ghana will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England on June 23 in Boston.
The Black Stars will then conclude their Group L fixtures against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
With a refreshed squad, a new coaching team led by Carlos Queiroz, and a blend of youth and experience, Ghana will be hoping to make a strong statement at the tournament and end their recent run of group-stage exits.
The release of the squad numbers marks another important step in Ghana’s preparations as the Black Stars count down to their fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.
