Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams has stated that the Black Stars must target a place beyond the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Black Stars are currently preparing for the tournament and will face Mexico in an international friendly on May 22 before another test against Wales in June.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Buem constituency MP stressed that Ghana’s ambition should not only be about participation but progressing deep into the competition.
“We have already qualified for the World Cup, so qualification is not why we are bringing in a new coach. We are hiring the coach because we want to go very far,” Adams said.
“For a World Cup, Ghana should not be aiming for anything below the next stage after the group phase. In this particular tournament, that means reaching the round of 32,” he added.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama at BMO Field on June 17 before facing England at Boston Stadium on June 23. Ghana will then conclude the group phase against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.
The four-time African champions will be hoping to avoid another early World Cup exit after suffering group-stage eliminations at the 2014 and 2022 tournaments in Brazil and Qatar respectively.
