Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has admitted the Black Stars will feel the absence of experienced defender Alexander Djiku after the centre-back was officially ruled out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup through injury.
The defensive stalwart, who plays for Spartak Moscow, had been racing against time to recover from a knock sustained during the Russian Cup final against FC Krasnodar. Despite initial optimism, medical assessments ultimately determined that the defender would not regain full fitness in time for the tournament.
Djiku joined Ghana’s training camp in Cardiff carrying the injury and underwent a series of evaluations in a bid to prove his readiness. However, the final verdict brought disappointing news for both player and country, forcing the technical team to make a late adjustment to the squad.
Alexander Djiku set for World Cup heartbreak as injury threatens Ghana spot
His place has been taken by Cyprus-based defender Derrick Luckassen, who now has the opportunity to stake his claim on football’s biggest stage.
Addressing the media, Queiroz acknowledged the magnitude of losing one of Ghana’s most dependable performers but insisted the team must quickly adapt:
“It’s one of those moments we don’t like. Djiku got injured during the Cup Final. It was a very difficult decision. We’ll miss him, he’s a great guy, a great professional. I didn’t work with him directly, but I spent hours watching videos and speaking with people around him,” said the Portuguese trainer.
The former international coach stressed that successful tournament campaigns are built on squad depth and not solely on individual brilliance:
“But that’s football. We have to move forward and show full trust in the players we have. The replacement was based on observation. We don’t work with just 11 or 22 players. You can win games with 22, but to be champions you need a full squad ready.”
“When we knew about the injury, we went to our list. Luckassen was ready. I know he’ll be committed, dedicated, and will perform fantastically for the national team.”
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Djiku’s withdrawal represents a significant blow for Ghana, considering the defender has consistently been among the nation’s standout performers in recent major tournaments. His leadership, composure and defensive reliability have made him a key figure during the Black Stars’ last three international competitions, including two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars must now turn their focus to the challenge ahead, with tough Group L fixtures awaiting them against Panama, England and Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
