Ghana Unveils 28-Man Preliminary World Cup Squad as Paintsil and Inaki Williams Miss Out
Ghana have officially named a 28-man preliminary squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with the notable omissions of Joseph Paintsil and Inaki Williams raising eyebrows among Black Stars supporters.
The squad announcement has also drawn attention because it includes five goalkeepers, meaning only two goalkeepers are expected to be dropped when head coach Carlos Queiroz finalises his 26-man squad for the tournament.
The Black Stars are preparing for what will be their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, having previously qualified for the global showpiece in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, and now this edition.
Ghana will head into the competition looking to improve on their recent World Cup record. Since their historic quarter-final run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where they came within a penalty kick of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, the Black Stars have failed to progress beyond the group stage in every tournament since.
This year presents another huge challenge, with Ghana set to face Argentina, Japan and Canada in a difficult group that will test Queiroz’s side from the very first whistle.
One player expected to carry much of Ghana’s attacking responsibility is Antoine Semenyo, who has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign and heads into the tournament in outstanding form.
Antoine Semenyo has arguably been one of the best transfers of the Premier League season. The Ghanaian forward was on target again yesterday, taking his tally to an impressive 21 goals and six assists across all competitions. His remarkable form has also seen him become the highest-scoring Ghanaian in Premier League history in a single season, underlining his importance to the Black Stars’ World Cup hopes.
With final squad decisions still to be made, all attention now turns to Carlos Queiroz as Ghana seek to assemble the right blend of experience and firepower to finally break their group-stage curse and make a long-awaited return to the knockout rounds.
Full squad
Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak), Paul Reverson (Ajax).
Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre).
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City).
Forwards: Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atlanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City).
