Ghana head coach Otto Addo on Friday unveiled a 23-man squad for the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Chad and Madagascar this month, Afrosport reports.
Addo has called upon newly appointed captain Jordan Ayew as well as vice-captain Thomas Partey, who returns to the squad after missing four matches in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers due to injury.
The 49-year-old also called goalkeepers Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Wollacott, defenders Alexander Djiku and Mohammed Salisu, midfielders Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah, and forwards Inaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo.
🚨Our Men for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers! 👊🏾📝
🇬🇭 We face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21, then take on Madagascar in Morocco on March 24.
The team will assemble on Monday, March 17, 2025, and train for four days before hosting Chad at the Accra Sports… pic.twitter.com/VyZitzGuYS
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 14, 2025
Three home-based players—Benjamin Asare, Kamaradini Mamudu, and Razak Simpson—have been named to the squad. Southampton forward Kamaldeen Sulemana also returns to the national team setup.
Jerry Afriyie keeps his place in the team, having starred for the Black Stars last November in the AFCOJ qualifiers, while Genk forward Christopher Bonsu earns his maiden call-up.
Albeit the star-studded selection, Ghana will be without several other key faces as the team has lost 12 players to injuries, including Tariq Lamptey, Abdul Mumin, Joseph Painstil, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Alidu Seidu.
Twelve players left out of #BlackStars squad due to injury 🤕
🔗: https://t.co/W259AqFkkS pic.twitter.com/O9J2yBd54G
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 14, 2025
The Black Stars currently sit second in Group I with nine points from their opening four matches and are behind leaders Comoros on goal difference.
Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, 21 March, before battling Madagascar at the Mimoun Al Arsi Stadium on Monday, 24 March.
Addo’s men will begin preparations on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Full 23-man Ghana squad for 2026 World Cup qualifying
Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Crawley Town)
Defenders: Kinglsey Schindler (Samsunspor), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahce), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Instabul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (FC Basel), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Kamaradini Mamudu (Medeama SC), Ebenezer Annan (Red Star Belgrade),
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Abu Francis (Cercle Brugge), Ernest Nuamah (Olympique Lyonnais)
Forwards: Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton), Jerry Afriyie (CD Lugo), Antoine Semenyo (Boutnemouth), Inaki Williams (Atheltic Club), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Genk)
