The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has responded to growing public concern over the delay in announcing the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the technical team is carefully finalising a competitive squad capable of representing the nation with pride on football’s biggest stage.

With excitement building across the country ahead of Ghana’s fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, supporters have been anxiously waiting for head coach Carlos Queiroz to reveal his final selection for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

However, according to the GFA’s Head of Public Relations and Strategy, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, there is no cause for alarm as the federation remains within FIFA’s official deadline for squad submissions.

Speaking to 3Sports, Mortagbe appealed for calm and patience while explaining that Queiroz and his technical staff are using the remaining preparation period to thoroughly assess players and build the strongest possible squad for the tournament.

“There’s a deadline that FIFA has given for countries to release their squads. Until that deadline passes, I don’t think there is anything to worry about,” he said.

“Carlos Queiroz is working behind the scenes, and they are preparing a squad that we believe will go out there and defend the honour of mother Ghana.”

Why Ghana’s squad announcement has been delayed

The delay has generated intense debate among football fans, especially after several countries already unveiled provisional lists for the World Cup.

But the GFA believes the extra time will allow the technical team to make better decisions regarding player form, fitness levels, tactical balance and squad depth.

Mortagbe explained that the recent international friendly against Mexico national football team was intentionally used as part of the assessment process before the final squad announcement.

According to him, the coaching staff wanted to test alternative options and evaluate players who could provide additional competition within the team ahead of the tournament.

“It’s a preparatory game. There’s a purpose behind the squad that was called up,” Mortagbe explained.

“From a fan’s perspective, people may have expected to see more familiar faces, but from the technical team’s point of view, they also want to assess other options that can improve competitiveness within the final squad.”

The GFA official further hinted that the squad announcement could arrive shortly after the Mexico friendly, with the technical team expected to complete its final evaluations.

Carlos Queiroz under pressure ahead of World Cup

The upcoming tournament represents a huge challenge for Queiroz, who was appointed following the dismissal of former coach Otto Addo after disappointing defeats to Austria and Germany in March.

The experienced Portuguese manager was brought in specifically to restore discipline, tactical organisation and stability within the Black Stars setup ahead of the Mundial.

Since his appointment, Queiroz has repeatedly stressed the importance of building a balanced team rather than relying solely on individual talent.

His immediate focus has been improving Ghana’s defensive structure while maintaining the attacking threat provided by players such as Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah.

The former Portugal national football team and Iran national football team coach faces enormous expectations from Ghanaian supporters, many of whom are desperate to see the Black Stars progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010.

Ghana face difficult World Cup group

Ghana have been drawn in a challenging Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team and Panama national football team.

The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 18 before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

Football analysts believe Ghana’s opening game against Panama could prove decisive in determining whether the team advances to the knockout stages.

With preparations entering a crucial phase, all attention now turns to Queiroz’s final squad announcement, which is expected to spark major debate nationwide.

For now, the GFA insists the delay is part of a deliberate strategy aimed at ensuring Ghana heads to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the strongest and most competitive squad possible.

Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have received a major financial boost after engineering giant Engineers & Planners paid $2 million toward the Ghana national football team’s World Cup fundraising campaign.

The payment, made on Thursday, April 30, 2026, was officially presented to Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem by a delegation led by company founder Ibrahim Mahama.

The contribution represents part of the company’s previously announced $5 million sponsorship pledge, unveiled in March, making Engineers & Planners one of the biggest private-sector backers of Ghana’s World Cup mission.

Backing Ghana’s World Cup Ambition

The fundraising drive was launched to mobilise resources for the Black Stars’ preparation ahead of football’s biggest tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Funds raised are expected to support:

• Team logistics and travel arrangements
• Training camps and preparation programmes
• Technical and performance infrastructure
• Friendly matches and international build-up activities
• Fan engagement and promotional campaigns

With Ghana drawn in a challenging Group L alongside the England national football team, Croatia national football team, and the Panama national football team, stakeholders believe strong financial backing will be crucial to the team’s competitiveness.

Corporate Ghana Rallies Behind Black Stars

The fundraising campaign has already attracted significant support from major companies and institutions across the country.

Among the headline commitments:

• Gold Fields Ghana — $2 million pledged, with an additional $1 million expected next year
• KGL Group — GH₵10 million pledged, with GH₵5 million already paid
• Christian Salamony Game Technology — $2 million commitment
• Serene Insurance — GH₵2 million in cash, plus a GH₵20 million insurance package
• Jewel Energy — GH₵1 million pledged
• Icon Energy — GH₵1 million commitment
• Anonymous donor — $1 million contribution

Celebrities Join the Cause

Public figures have also stepped forward to support Ghana’s World Cup dream.

Shatta Wale has pledged $100,000 to support fan engagement initiatives, while Stonebwoy has committed $81,000 in cash, along with $20,000 worth of music production and rights for a World Cup campaign song — bringing his total contribution to $101,000.

Businessman Alex Okyere of KAF Company Ltd has donated GH₵240,000, while Timeline and Innovation Company, led by Alhaji Musah, has pledged $300,000.

Momentum Building Ahead of the Tournament

The growing wave of corporate and individual support reflects increasing national belief in Ghana’s World Cup campaign under new head coach Carlos Queiroz.

With preparations intensifying and more sponsorship announcements expected in the coming weeks, Ghana is building not only a squad for the tournament — but a nationwide movement aimed at helping the Black Stars compete strongly on the world stage.

As the countdown to 2026 continues, one message is becoming clear: the nation is backing the Black Stars, both on and off the pitch.

Former Kudjoe Fianoo, a member of the Black Stars Management Committee, has urged the Ghana Football Association to appoint Winfried Schäfer as interim coach of the Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The GFA is currently searching for a new head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo after the March international window.

The decision came after Ghana suffered heavy defeats against Austria national football team and Germany national football team, losing 5–1 in Vienna and 2–1 in Stuttgart respectively.

Speaking in an interview with Kessben Sports, Fianoo suggested that allowing Schäfer, who currently serves as the GFA’s technical director, to handle the team temporarily would be a practical solution while the association searches for a permanent coach.

“The technical director at the GFA understands the Ghanaian terrain, so I’ll suggest we give him the national team to handle on an interim basis while we take our time to look for a new coach,” Fianoo said.

He expressed concern about the limited time available before Ghana’s next international engagements.

“My fear is that we don’t have enough time on our side. Some years ago, he was interested in the Black Stars coaching job, but the position went to Otto Addo and he was given the technical director role instead.”

Fianoo added that appointing Schäfer temporarily would give the GFA enough time to conduct proper due diligence before selecting a long-term coach.

“We should give him the job and take our time to find a coach who can guide us in the short, medium, and long term. We’re becoming a country that appoints a new coach every year,” he added.

Meanwhile, several high-profile coaches have been linked with the vacant position, including Carlos Queiroz, Paulo Bento, and Fernando Santos.

The GFA is expected to announce a new head coach next week as the team prepares for upcoming international friendlies. Ghana will face Mexico national football team in May before taking on Wales national football team on June 2.

The Black Stars will then begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama national football team on June 17, followed by matches against England national football team on June 23 and Croatia national football team on June 27.

Ghana will be hoping to improve on their recent World Cup performances after group-stage exits in both 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Ghana Football Association has reportedly finished interviewing shortlisted candidates for the vacant head coach role of the Ghana national football team as the search for a replacement for Otto Addo moves closer to its final stage.

According to reports, the interviews were conducted on Monday as part of the FA’s ongoing efforts to identify the right manager to lead the Black Stars.

Coaching vacancy after Addo dismissal

The position became available after Otto Addo was relieved of his duties last week following a series of disappointing results in international friendly matches.

The defeats raised concerns about the team’s direction, prompting the Ghana FA to begin the process of appointing a new coach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Local and foreign candidates assessed

Sources indicate that the interview process involved both Ghanaian and foreign coaches, with the FA carefully evaluating each candidate’s experience, leadership ability and tactical knowledge.

Beyond technical skills, the association is also believed to be looking for a manager capable of handling the intense pressure that comes with leading the Black Stars.

Candidates present plans for the team

During the interviews, each candidate reportedly presented their football philosophy and outlined plans for rebuilding the national team.

These proposals included strategies for improving the squad in the short term while also developing a long-term structure that can sustain Ghana’s competitiveness on the international stage.

The FA is said to be particularly interested in appointing a coach who can quickly introduce discipline, organisation and consistency within the team.

Final decision expected soon

With the interview stage now completed, the Ghana FA is expected to move into internal discussions and consultations with key stakeholders before making a final decision.

The conclusion of the interviews represents a major step in the selection process, with an official announcement on the new Black Stars coach expected in the coming days as Ghana prepares for the upcoming World Cup challenge.

The Ghana Football Association Executive Council is expected to meet today, April 7, 2026, to deliberate on the appointment of a new head coach for the Ghana national football team.

The meeting comes as the search for a replacement for Otto Addo intensifies following his recent dismissal.

Coaching change after disappointing results

Addo’s departure followed a difficult international window in March where Ghana suffered back-to-back defeats in friendly matches against the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team.

Those results raised serious concerns about the team’s readiness for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and prompted the FA to make a swift decision regarding the technical leadership of the Black Stars.

Three candidates reportedly shortlisted

According to reports from Citi Sports, the GFA has already drawn up a shortlist of three candidates for the coaching role. However, the identities of the coaches under consideration have not yet been made public.

During the Executive Council meeting, members are expected to evaluate the shortlisted candidates and decide on the preferred choice to lead the national team.

Government consultation expected

Once a final decision is reached, the FA is expected to consult government authorities as part of the traditional collaboration between the football governing body and state officials when appointing a national team coach.

The association has reportedly indicated that it is looking for a coach with strong credentials and experience at both club and international level.

Focus on World Cup preparation

The new coach will have limited time to prepare the team ahead of the World Cup.

The Black Stars are scheduled to face the Mexico national football team in an international friendly before playing another preparatory match against the Wales national football team on June 2.

Ghana will be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup and have been drawn in Group L alongside the Panama national football team, England national football team and Croatia national football team.

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has dismissed reports suggesting he has been approached by the Ghana Football Association regarding the vacant head coach position of the Ghana national football team.

Saintfiet, whose name has recently surfaced in discussions about the job, clarified that he has not received any official communication from the Ghana FA.

Search continues after Otto Addo’s departure

The Black Stars coaching role became available after Otto Addo was relieved of his duties earlier this week.

Addo’s dismissal followed disappointing performances during the March international window, where Ghana suffered defeats to the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team in friendly matches.

Other coaches distance themselves from the role

As speculation grows over who will take charge of the Black Stars, some high-profile coaches have already ruled themselves out of the race.

Walid Regragui, the head coach of the Morocco national football team, has reportedly shown no interest in the position. Meanwhile, Hervé Renard is expected to remain with the Saudi Arabia national football team as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

Saintfiet’s experience in African football

Despite denying contact with the GFA, Saintfiet remains one of the experienced coaches frequently mentioned in connection with the job.

The Belgian tactician has spent nearly 30 years working across African football, managing several national teams including the Namibia national football team, Zimbabwe national football team, Ethiopia national football team, Malawi national football team, Togo national football team and the Gambia national football team.

He is currently in charge of the Mali national football team.

Ghana prepare for World Cup challenge

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, the Ghana FA is under pressure to appoint a new coach soon to lead the Black Stars into the tournament.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside the England national football team, Croatia national football team and the Panama national football team.

The Black Stars will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 18 before facing England and Croatia in their remaining group matches.

The Ghana Football Association has reportedly received more than 600 applications for the vacant head coach position of the Ghana national football team following the departure of Otto Addo.

GFA president Kurt Okraku confirmed the overwhelming interest in the role, describing it as a clear sign of how attractive the Black Stars job remains within the football world.

Speaking to 3Sports, Okraku revealed that the FA has been flooded with applications from coaches across the globe who are eager to take charge of one of Africa’s most historic national teams.

Coaching position became vacant after recent defeats

The coaching role opened up after Otto Addo was relieved of his duties following a series of disappointing results.

Ghana suffered a heavy defeat to the Austria national football team before losing again to the Germany national football team in an international friendly. Those results triggered an emergency decision by the FA while the team was in Stuttgart.

Global interest in the Black Stars job

The large number of applicants reflects the prestige attached to managing Ghana, a four-time African champion and regular participant at the FIFA World Cup.

Both Ghanaian and international coaches are believed to be among the candidates hoping to secure the position.

GFA begins screening process

The Ghana FA is now expected to begin reviewing the applications as it looks to shortlist the most suitable candidates.

According to Kurt Okraku, the association hopes to appoint a new coach within the next one to two weeks in order to avoid disrupting the team’s preparations.

Focus shifts to World Cup preparation

The Black Stars are scheduled to play friendly matches against the Mexico national football team and the Wales national football team in May as part of their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana have been drawn in a challenging group that includes the Panama national football team, Croatia national football team and England national football team.

The next head coach will therefore face immediate pressure to stabilise the team and guide the Black Stars into the tournament with renewed confidence.

Otto Addo has admitted that Ghana national football team are facing serious defensive and psychological challenges after their humiliating 5–1 defeat to Austria national football team in an international friendly.

The Black Stars struggled defensively throughout the match, conceding five goals in a performance that quickly deteriorated after a competitive start in Vienna.

While Ghana showed some promise in the early stages of the game, the team’s defensive organization collapsed as Austria capitalized on several mistakes at the back.

Otto Addo Admits Ghana Have Defensive Problems

Speaking after the match, Addo openly acknowledged that Ghana must address their defensive instability and improve their mental strength during difficult moments in matches.

“Defensively, we have problems. We have to be stable, especially psychologically. After the third goal we still have to keep our heads up and maintain the intensity,” Addo said.

The Ghana coach explained that although the players were disappointed with the result, the team must learn to respond better when games begin to slip away.

“I can understand that the players were disappointed, but these are the situations where we still need to step up. We have to overcome this,” he added.

Defensive Errors Cost Ghana Against Austria

Ghana conceded two early goals that Addo described as avoidable before the team completely lost defensive control in the latter stages of the game.

Austria took advantage of Ghana’s defensive lapses to score three additional goals, sealing a comprehensive victory.

Addo admitted that the goals conceded highlighted both technical mistakes and a drop in concentration among his players.

“The first two goals were easy. For goals three, four and five there were a lot of defensive issues. We have to work on that psychologically,” he explained.

According to the coach, maintaining focus and discipline throughout the entire match will be key to avoiding similar collapses in future games.

Black Stars Must Improve Mental Strength

Beyond tactical issues, Addo emphasized that Ghana must also improve their mental resilience when facing adversity on the pitch.

He warned that losing focus during crucial moments could prove costly in more competitive matches.

“The next step is to stay strong and stay focused. The players have to concentrate so that this doesn’t happen again,” he said.

Ghana Shift Attention to Germany Friendly

Despite the disappointing result, Addo is already turning his attention to Ghana’s next international friendly against Germany national football team.

The Black Stars will face Germany in Stuttgart on Monday, March 30, with kickoff scheduled for 18:45 GMT.

The upcoming match forms part of Ghana’s preparations for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Addo believes the team must quickly analyze their mistakes against Austria and make improvements before the Germany clash.

With several lessons to take from the defeat, Ghana will be hoping to bounce back and deliver a stronger performance in their next outing.

Ghana could see the return of Prince Adu and Kamaldeen Sulemana to the Black Stars squad as the team gears up for international friendlies later this month.

Reports indicate that head coach Otto Addo has included both players in preparations for matches against Austria on March 27 and Germany three days later. The official squad list is yet to be released.

Adu, representing FC Viktoria Plzen, has caught the eye of the technical team with his impressive displays this season. The young forward has netted seven goals across 35 appearances, showcasing the form that earned him previous national team call-ups. Adu made his Black Stars debut during the Kirin Cup in Asia, performing notably against Japan and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Atalanta’s winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is also set for a recall. The attacker, who has scored twice in 21 outings this season, continues his bid to regain a regular spot in the national setup.

Their inclusion signals that both Adu and Sulemana remain integral to Otto Addo’s long-term vision as Ghana looks ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where they are set to face Panama, Croatia, and England in the group stage.

Prince Tagoe, a former Black Stars striker, expressed worries about the current team’s spiritual foundation, speculating that it might be the cause of the team’s recent difficulties.

Ghana’s senior national team has struggled on the continental scene; in the 2021 and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions, which were held in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively, they were eliminated at the group stage.

Then, for the first time in more than 20 years, the four-time African champions were unable to qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

The Black Stars overcame these obstacles to earn a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Speaking on Sporty FM, Tagoe highlighted what he sees as a disconnect between the current players and their supporters.

The former Hearts of Oak forward believes the team’s past successes were rooted not only in talent but also in spiritual backing and genuine engagement with fans.

“As a former player, during my playing days with the Black Stars, it was not as if we were too good, but I believe we had good luck and spiritual backing for the team, and it always comes with giving out to people.

“If you play for the Black Stars and you don’t show love to the people who come to cheer you up, or you don’t care about the people who knew you while growing up, it becomes a problem, and these are the same people who will be praying for the team, because sometimes we do contribute and assist charity works as well and this what I want to see in this current team because I don’t think this current team do that.”

He added that many current players have earned a reputation for being distant from fans, in contrast to past stars like Stephen Appiah, who fostered strong connections with supporters.

“We are all in Ghana, and most of these players playing for the Black Stars have been described as stingy players, and that is teh fact. People might not be able to say that in public, but during our time, people used to come around the team because of Stephen Appiah, and we, the players, must ensure that we express our appreciation because these are the same people who will support the team, and this is something the team must look at.

“Sometimes, it is not about how good you are, but you will need to have luck and spiritual backing,” he added.

Ghana will make its fifth World Cup appearance in 2026, drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and close group play against Croatia on June 27.

After back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups in Brazil and Qatar, the team is hoping for a deeper run in the United States, where they will base themselves at Bryant University throughout the tournament.