2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Otto Addo names strong squad for Chad, Mali clashes
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has named a 24-man squad brimming with both experience and exciting new faces ahead of Ghana’s crunch 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali next month.
The list reads like a roll call of Ghana’s finest: midfield general Thomas Partey, playmaker Mohammed Kudus, and sharp-shooters Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams are all present as the Black Stars look to extend their impressive run in the qualifiers.
Familiar faces
Heavyweight stars like Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Skipper Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo and Gideon Mensah all retain their spots as Ghana look to extend their impressive run and tighten their grip at the top of Group I and clinch automatic qualification.
The headline inclusion, however, is Union Berlin’s left-back Derrick Arthur Köhn, who finally earns his maiden Black Stars call-up after catching the eye with a string of commanding performances in the Bundesliga.
The 26-year-old, who swapped Galatasaray for Union Berlin this summer following a standout loan spell at Werder Bremen, clocked 27 appearances and two goals last season, statistics that proved too good for Addo to ignore.
Another player under the spotlight is Kamaldeen Sulemana, who has made a sparkling start at Italian side Atalanta following his summer switch from relegated English top-flight side Southampton.
Also, there is a welcome comeback for Elisha Owusu, the France-based midfielder returning after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury, while FC Nordsjaelland Caleb Yirenkyi, who dazzled at the Unity Cup in London, has been rewarded with a return to the squad for the crucial qualifiers.
Brighton and Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey also makes his return after an injury layoff, while Ireland-based goalkeeper Joseph Anang and forward Christopher Bonsu Baah of Saudi side Al-Qadsiah are handed opportunities to stake their claim in the national set-up.
The Black Stars have been ruthless so far in their World Cup journey, topping Group I with 15 points from six games (five wins and just a single defeat).
Victory against Chad on September 4 at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno, followed by a home clash with Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8, will hand Ghana automatic qualification to their fifth World Cup finals.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Benjamin Asare
Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Derrick Arthur Köhn, Mohammed Salisu, Jerome Opoku, Alexander Djiku, Jonas Adjetey, Tariq Lamptey, Caleb Yirenkyi
Midfielders: Elisha Owusu, Mohammed Kudus, Ibrahim Osman, Ibrahim Sulemana, Thomas Partey, Abdul Salis Samed
Forwards: Antoine Semenyo, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Joseph Paintsil, Jerry Afriyie, Jordan Ayew, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Inaki Williams.
