Captain Jordan Ayew has insisted that Ghana national football team will travel to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with genuine ambition, stressing that the Black Stars intend to compete strongly rather than simply feature at the tournament.
The global showpiece, which will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, represents a fresh opportunity for Ghana to re-establish itself on football’s grandest platform after underwhelming campaigns in recent editions.
Speaking to Adom Sports about the team’s mindset, Ayew made it clear that the four-time African champions are targeting meaningful achievements when the tournament begins.
“We are going to the World Cup to give our very best. We want to put on a show and, hopefully, achieve the results we are aiming for. We are not just going to the USA to make up the numbers,” he said.
Dan Agyei keen on Black Stars chance: ‘I’d give everything for the shirt’
The experienced forward also pointed to the importance of collective spirit and discipline within the squad as preparations gather pace ahead of the competition:
“We will stay humble and focused, and hopefully we can dream of achieving big things. We need positive energy around the team, and we will do everything we can to make the nation proud.”
Ghana will be looking to channel memories of their historic run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals and came within touching distance of becoming the first African nation to make the semi-finals.
Now preparing for their fifth appearance at the global finals, Ghana have been placed in Group L of the expanded 48-team tournament.
They begin their campaign against the Panama national football team on June 17, before facing the England national football team six days later. Their final group fixture will be against the Croatia national football team on June 27.
Ilyas Ansah declines Ghana World Cup invitation to focus on Germany U-21 path
In the lead-up to the competition, the Black Stars have lined up several high-profile friendlies to fine-tune their preparations. The team will test themselves against the Germany national football team and the Austria national football team later this month.
Additional warm-up matches are also scheduled against the Mexico national football team in May and the Wales national football team in June, with the latter fixture taking place just nine days before the tournament begins.
During their stay in the United States, Ghana’s squad will be based at Bryant University as they prepare for the challenge ahead.
After group-stage eliminations at both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Black Stars will be eager to deliver a far more convincing showing when the competition kicks off across North America.
