Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 24-man squad for the Black Stars’ first assignments since their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, with Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare the only player based in the Ghana Premier League included in the squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cotê d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
The Portuguese tactician has retained a strong core of the team that represented Ghana at the World Cup with 17 players maintaining their places, while handing first senior call-ups to Jan Gyamerah of SV Elversberg and New York Red Bulls midfielder Ronald Donkor.
The squad also marks the return of several players who missed Ghana’s World Cup campaign through injury, including Tottenham forward Mohammed Kudus and Spartak Moscow defender Alexander Djiku.
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Ibrahim Osman, Lorient defender Nathaniel Adjei and Sassuolo midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana also return to the national team setup.
Queiroz has selected three goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and eight forwards for the upcoming international window.
Asare is joined in the goalkeeping department by St. Gallen’s Lawrence Ati-Zigi and St. Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang.
The defensive options include Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Jan Gyamerah, Derrick Luckassen, Nathaniel Adjei, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Peprah and Alexander Djiku.
In midfield, Queiroz has called up Kwasi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, Ronald Donkor and Sulemana, while Kudus leads an attacking group that also features Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo, Ibrahim Osman, Prince Adu Kwabena and Jordan Ayew.
Thomas Partey, however, missed out on a place in the squad.
The squad will begin a new chapter under Queiroz after Ghana’s World Cup campaign ended in the Round of 32. The upcoming matches will also represent the Portuguese coach’s first competitive assignments since guiding the Black Stars at the tournament.
Queiroz Sets AFCON Qualification As Immediate Target
Ghana will open their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire on September 24 away in Bouaké before facing The Gambia on September 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars will then travel to Tangier for an international friendly against Morocco on October 4.
For Queiroz, however, the immediate focus is on securing qualification for the continental tournament rather than looking too far ahead especially following the team’s failure to qualify for the last edition in Morocco.
“Hands on the present, eyes on the future. The priority is very clear: absolute focus on AFCON qualification, with our eyes set on the 2030 World Cup,” he said after releasing his squad.
The coach believes the World Cup experience has provided valuable information as he begins shaping the next phase of the national team. “It was an experience that gave us a deep understanding of the players, their qualities and their character,” Queiroz said.
He also stressed that selection will continue to be influenced by players’ competitive readiness, particularly following the World Cup.
“Our technical staff carried out our usual in-depth monitoring of the players. Players should be in competitive action, physically prepared and fully ready to play for the national team.”
Carlos Queiroz, Black Stars Head Coach
With AFCON qualification now the immediate objective, Queiroz has challenged his squad to raise their standards as Ghana begins preparations for the next World Cup cycle.
“We must work and compete with absolute determination and humility,” he said, adding that the team must “work even harder and better” if it is to compete with Africa’s leading sides.
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