Black Stars to play Germany in a friendly on March 30 in Stuttgart as part of 2026 World Cup preparations

In an effort to get ready for the 2026 World Cup, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that the Black Stars will play Germany in a prominent friendly.

Ghana will play Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L of the competition, which is co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

According to GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum, the Black Stars will travel to Stuttgart for an international friendly against Germany on Monday, March 30, ahead of the global tournament.

After losing in the group stages of the World Cup in both 2014 and 2022, Ghana hopes to improve on previous results.

Their 2026 campaign kicks off against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on June 23. The group stage concludes with a match against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

Next year’s tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, with previous campaigns in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The Black Stars’ most memorable run came in South Africa in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals.

Sports Minister Kofi Adams: “Black Stars players are more than committed.”

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has reiterated the dedication of the Black Stars players, even though they will not participate in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars players have brought back national pride by achieving qualification for the 2026 World Cup, set to take place in North America. Concerns have been raised regarding the team’s lackluster performances in major tournaments.

Many football fans have criticized the players’ dedication after the Black Stars failed to qualify for the AFCON for the first time in over two decades.

However, Kofi Adams has defended the players, asserting that they are committed to representing their country despite the recent challenges.

“The players of the Black Stars are fully dedicated. I mentioned that I had hoped we could have qualified for the AFCON to test our strengths. This dedication goes beyond just preparing the players; we want to get them ready and give Ghanaians a chance to experience what the team can deliver.”

With regards to preparations, camping and others, Kofi Adams said, “We’ve had conversation with the FA and we know what we want to do, which will involve the generality of Ghanaians also.”

As World Cup preparations continue, the Black Stars travel to Seoul for a test against South Korea.

In preparation for their second international friendly against South Korea on Tuesday, Black Stars will depart Nagoya for Seoul on Saturday.

The trip comes after Ghana’s Kirin Challenge Cup 2-0 loss to Japan, which was marred by a devastating injury to midfielder Francis Abu.

After midfielder Francis Abu was ruled out, coach Otto Addo will have a smaller 21-man roster. Before playing the Koreans, the team will train for three days in Seoul. The game is a part of Ghana’s preparation for the FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States in 2026.

Ghana hopes to use these friendly games to improve team cohesiveness and shape after already securing a spot in the tournament for next year.

The squad includes a blend of established names and several newcomers such as Prince Kwabena Adu, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kelvin Nkrumah, Prince Owusu and Prince Osei Owusu.

The Black Stars will seek a stronger performance against South Korea as they push to build confidence ahead of the World Cup.

On Friday, November 14, 2025, Ghana Black Stars lost to Japan 2-0 in their Kirin Challenge Cup friendly at Toyota Stadium.

The Black Stars faced a strong Japanese team that had just won a historic 3-2 victory over Brazil despite the absence of several important players, including Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Thomas Partey.

Although they had early possession control, Japan initially struggled to get past Ghana’s small five-man defense. When Watanabe Tsuyoshi advanced on a cross in the sixteenth minute, Sano Kaishu intercepted and connected with Doan, Watanabe, and Kubo Takefusa to break the impasse. Japan took the lead after Minamino, who was left unmarked, finished quietly.

Before Doan added a second goal in the 60th minute, Ghana’s goalkeeper Joseph Anang was put to the test by Japan’s persistent pressure in the second half. He extended the lead with a perfect shot into the near post after receiving a ball from Kubo on the right side of the box.

Francis Abu, a midfielder for Ghana, had a critical injury and had to be stretchered off, further ruining the team’s evening. While the Black Stars found it difficult to react, Japan made a number of late replacements, including three debutants.

Ghana will now focus on a friendly match against South Korea on Tuesday, with the score still 2-0. These games are a part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations.

The Black Stars practice one last time before their match against Japan.

Before their 2025 Kirin Cup friendly against Japan on Friday at Toyota Stadium in Aichi, Ghana’s Black Stars have finished their last training session.

Head coach Otto Addo was able to finalize his lineup and game plan throughout the session, which included exercises on attacking combinations, defensive organization, and set-pieces.

All 22 players took part, although extra care was taken to make sure those who arrived late to camp—such as AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu and Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare—were prepared for the game.

Prior to the international friendly, the last session offered a chance to evaluate player fitness and foster team togetherness.

Ghana will face Japan on Friday, with the match serving as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup and the team’s subsequent friendly against South Korea. Images from the training session captured the intensity, focus, and determination of the Black Stars ahead of kickoff.

Kirin Cup: Black Stars train with 18 players before their match against Japan

In anticipation of Ghana’s international friendly versus Japan on Friday, November 14, 2025, eighteen players have now gathered at the Ana Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nagoya.

Tuesday saw the arrival of sixteen players, including Prince Owusu and Kelvin Nkrumah, who came from Accra on Sunday.

Joseph Anang, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Derrick Kohn, Jerome Opoku, Ebenezer Annan, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Oppong Peprah, Caleb Yirenkyi, Alidu Seidu, and Gideon Mensah are among the team members at camp. Abu Francis, Kwasi Sibo, Prince Owusu, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Kelvin Nkrumah, and Prince Adu Kwabena round them out.

Benjamin Asare, a goalkeeper for Hearts of Oak who protected the net against Asante Kotoko in Sunday’s Super Clash, is scheduled to join the team on Wednesday. Mohammed Salisu, Prince Osei Owusu, and Christopher Bonsu Baah are also anticipated on the same day.

In preparation for their Kirin Cup match against Japan, the Black Stars will hold their first training session in Nagoya on Wednesday, November 12.

The Black Stars’ squad for the friendlies against South Korea and Japan does not include Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Partey, or Issahaku.

A significant blow has been given to Ghana coach Otto Addo ahead of the team’s Asian tour: a number of important players will not be allowed to play in the forthcoming friendly.

Due to recent injuries or knocks, Mohammed Kudus, Joseph Paintsil, Fatawu Issahaku, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, and Alexander Djiku have all withdrawn from the team.

Despite being initially listed on the team, they will stay with their clubs to recuperate after reaching agreements with the Black Stars’ medical staff and administration. By permitting their players to travel for evaluation by the national team physicians, the clubs have chosen not to jeopardize their players’ fitness.

Ghana will face Japan in the Kirin Challenge Cup on Friday, November 14, at Toyota Stadium in Aichi, before taking on South Korea on Tuesday, November 18.

To fill the gaps, Otto Addo has handed call-ups to new faces, including Prince Owusu (CF Montreal), Kelvin Nkrumah (Medeama), and Czech-based striker Prince Kwabena Adu.

These friendlies will allow Addo to assess his options ahead of Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance.

The World Cup group stage draw is scheduled for December 5 in Washington, where Ghana will learn their opponents.

Prince Kwabena Adu’s Black Stars invitation has been confirmed by Viktoria Plzen.

Prince Kwabena Adu, a forward for Viktoria Plzen, will make his debut for the Black Stars during the November international break.

The 23-year-old has received an invitation to compete against South Korea and Japan in the Kirin Cup tournament. The in-form striker will be on the team, according to Osikanitv’s exclusive report, and the Czech team’s most recent statement supported our earlier assertion.

Over the past two seasons, the striker for Viktoria Plzen has been one of Ghana’s reliable players overseas.

In Viktoria Plzen’s 2-1 victory over Teplice on the road, Kwabena Adu scored his fifth league goal of the year.

Before selecting his team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, Ghana coach Otto Addo wants to evaluate the 23-year-old.

With just one goal in four games this season, Adu has been one of the most interesting performers in the UEFA Europa League.

He made 20 league appearances in the Czech top division last season, scoring five goals.

Inaki Williams has been replaced by Brandon Thomas-Asante of Coventry City for Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchups against Comoros and the Central African Republic.

In his nine League games in the English Championship, the 26-year-old has scored five goals and provided three assists. He replaced Inaki Williams, who sustained an injury during Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga match against Mallorca on Saturday, preventing him from participating in this week’s qualifiers.

Williams, 31, was included in Otto Addo’s 24-man roster for the qualifying matches against Comoros and the Central African Republic. In preparation for their match against the Central African Republic on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, the Black Stars are presently in Casablanca, Morocco.

Ghana will round up the qualifiers against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

The Black Stars are chasing a fifth World Cup appearance as they currently sit at the top of Group I with 19 points and two matches to go in the qualifiers.

A budget of $1.12 million has been allocated by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation for Black Stars’ pivotal October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying round.

The Black Stars’ hopes of qualifying for the global championship will be determined by their matches against Comoros and the Central African Republic on Matchdays 9 and 10.

Sports Minister Kofi Adams stated during a press conference on Monday, September 29, that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) had provided a proposal that was “within an acceptable range” and that the Ministry did not need to make any changes.

“The Ministry did not need to add any comments because the FA submitted a budget within an acceptable range,” Kofi Adams stated.

In accordance with proper process, he clarified, the Ministry sent the estimates to the Office of the President on September 19, after the GFA formally submitted them on September 18, 2025.

The Minister claims that the budget contains $387,000 for the home game against Comoros in Accra and $733,000 for the away game against the Central African Republic in Casablanca.

“The estimated total cost of the two-match engagement is $1.12 million, which is divided into $733,000 for the away game in Casablanca and $387,000 for the home game in Accra,” he continued.

Ghana will face the Central African Republic at Stade El Abdi on Wednesday, October 8, before hosting Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, in their final qualifier.