Black Maidens head coach Joe Nana Adarkwa has named a 21-player squad for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, with Ghana’s final list officially submitted to FIFA ahead of the tournament.
The squad comprises three goalkeepers, five defenders, seven midfielders and six forwards, with all 21 players currently playing for clubs in Ghana.
Adarkwa will be hoping his team makes a strong impression at the global competition as the Maidens prepare to face Norway, Brazil and Canada in Group C.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Norway on October 18 at Pitch 3 of the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, with the opening fixture offering an early test of their ambitions.
The Maidens will then seek to navigate a challenging group featuring three nations with different footballing traditions as they target progression to the knockout stage.
The 2026 tournament will be the tenth edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, with 24 national teams competing for the title in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Rootz Sistaz Lead Club Representation
The squad features players drawn entirely from Ghanaian clubs, with Rootz Sistaz FC providing the largest contingent of four players.
Hearts of Oak, Tamale Super Ladies and Sissamba Ladies contribute two players each, while the remaining clubs are represented by one player apiece.
Goalkeepers: Aklie Belinda Maku (Cabfix Ladies FC), Osman Rafia (Tamale Super Ladies FC) and Adam Hajara (Tamale Super Ladies FC).
Defenders: Musah Latifa (Sissamba Ladies FC), Esse Sarafina Essenam (Hearts of Oak SC), Asamoah Jessica Appiah (Epiphany Warriors FC), Adomako Ameaa Gloria (Ampem Darko Ladies FC) and Shani Zeinab (Savannah Ladies FC).
Midfielders: Mensah Priscilla (Sissamba Ladies FC), Wahab Seidatu (Hearts of Oak SC), Amadu Sekinatu (Jonina Ladies), Danso Benedicta Nketiah (KAC Ladies FC), Obinsrewuo Cynthia Nana Yaa (Police Ladies FC), Ashiaku Christiana (Rootz Sistaz FC) and Koah Mavis (Rootz Sistaz FC).
Forwards: Nyafule Josephine (Fosu Royal Ladies FC), Achiaa Linda (Army Ladies FC), Gyekyewaa Juliana (Rootz Sistaz FC), Kpentey Belinda (Rootz Sistaz FC), Amoah Matilda Abu Bonsra (Arm of God Ladies FC) and Abubakari Rahima Napari (Northern City Ladies FC).
Tough Battles And a Place in the Knockout Round
Ghana’s opening encounter against Norway will be followed by matches against Brazil and Canada as the team seeks to secure a place in the knockout rounds.
The competition features 24 nations divided into six groups, with the top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed sides advancing to the round of 16.
The format gives teams an opportunity to progress beyond the group stage even if they finish third, although results and goal difference could prove crucial in determining qualification.
The tournament will be staged entirely in Rabat, with matches through the semi-finals taking place across four pitches at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The bronze medal match and final are scheduled for November 7 at the Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, also in the Moroccan capital.
Four-time champions DPR Korea will enter the competition seeking to defend their title, while Spain, two-time winners, will also be among the teams competing for the trophy.
Argentina, Australia and Puerto Rico will make their debuts at the tournament, which continues under the expanded 24-team format introduced in 2025.
Maidens Seek To Better Historic Third-Place Finish
Ghana’s best performance at the competition remains their third-place finish at the 2012 edition in Azerbaijan under former coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
That campaign established a significant milestone in the country’s history at the youth level, with the Maidens finishing among the tournament’s leading teams.
The achievement remains a reference point for subsequent Ghanaian sides, and Adarkwa will be aiming to guide his players towards another memorable run on the international stage.
The 2026 edition is also the second of five consecutive tournaments scheduled to take place in Morocco, giving the North African country an extended role in hosting the competition.
With the final squad submitted to FIFA, Ghana’s attention now turns to preparations for the October 18 opener against Norway and the challenge of progressing from Group C.
The Maidens will hope their blend of locally developed talent can deliver results in Rabat and bring Ghana closer to the podium they last reached in 2012.
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