Kwesi Appiah and Walid Regragui Emerge as Top Targets to Replace Otto Addo
Following the dismissal of Otto Addo under 72 days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly moving quickly to secure a replacement.
Internal sources suggest that the race has narrowed to two primary candidates: James Kwesi Appiah and Walid Regragui.
The GFA officially parted ways with Addo on March 31, 2026, following a dismal international break that saw the Black Stars suffer back-to-back friendly defeats to Austria (5-1) and Germany (2-1).
Kwesi Appiah is once again the name on everyone’s lips in Accra. After two previous stints as head coach (2012–2014 and 2017–2020), a third spell would make him one of the most enduring figures in the nation’s football history.
Appiah’s stock is at an all-time high after his sensational stint with the Sudan national team. Despite the civil unrest in Sudan, Appiah led the Falcons of Jediane to a the knockout stage in the 2025 AFCON and had a successful CHAN 2024 campaign.
His success with Sudan saw him heavily linked with the Mali job earlier this year. However, those negotiations reportedly stalled over contractual details, leaving the door open for a return to his homeland.
Having already led Ghana to the 2014 World Cup, the GFA views Appiah as the most qualified local candidate to handle the immediate pressure of the 2026 tournament in North America.
The GFA is also exploring the possibility of hiring Walid Regragui. The former Morocco boss is currently the most sought-after free agent on the continent.
Regragui mutually parted ways with Morocco on March 5, 2026, following their defeat to Senegal in the AFCON 2025 final.
Regragui’s reputation as the first coach to lead an African nation to a World Cup semi-final in Qatar makes him a dream hire for Ghana. While he is reportedly in advanced talks with Saudi Arabia, the GFA is hoping the allure of leading another African giant to the World Cup will sway him.
With Ghana’s World Cup opener against Panama scheduled for June 18, 2026, the GFA is expected to announce a decision within the next 72 hours.
The new technical direction of the Black Stars will inherit a squad searching for identity, but with candidates of this caliber, Ghanaian fans are hopeful for a late-stage revival before the world stage beckons.
