Otto Addo Names Black Stars Squad for WC Qualifiers

By Hlordzie Mawuena Jessica On Sep 1, 2025

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has announced a 24-man squad for Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Mali in September.

The team features several regular players, including Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Antoine Semenyo, and Inaki Williams. New faces and returning stars have also been added to strengthen the squad.

One of the key highlights is the first call-up for Union Berlin left-back Derrick Arthur Köhn. The 26-year-old defender joined Union Berlin this summer after a successful loan season at Werder Bremen, where he made 27 appearances and scored two goals in the German Bundesliga.

Also earning a place is winger Kamal Deen Sulemana, who recently moved from Southampton to Italian side Atalanta and has enjoyed a bright start in Serie A. Midfielder Elisha Owusu, who has recovered from a long-term injury, makes a comeback, while youngster Caleb Yirenkyi, after shining for FC Nordsjaelland and at the Unity Cup in London, is rewarded with a spot.

Defender Tariq Lamptey returns to the squad, and Christopher Bonsu Baah joins alongside goalkeeper Joseph Anang, who plays in Ireland.

Ghana currently leads Group I of the African qualifiers with 15 points, having won five of their six matches and losing one. The Black Stars are determined to keep their momentum as they push closer to securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The team will open camp on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium, where they will train for two days before leaving for Chad. Ghana will play Chad at Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4.

After the away game, the team will return to Accra on September 5 for a recovery session, which will be open to the media and public. They will then host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

With strong competition ahead, Coach Otto Addo and his squad are focused on maintaining their top position in Group I and moving one step closer to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.