Ghana national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz has finalised his selection for Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding an extra layer of depth with a standby goalkeeper and insisting the group is fully committed ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Wales national football team and the tournament in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The message from camp is one of conviction and intensity, with Queiroz stressing that the squad is not just assembled but battle-ready, shaped through weeks of detailed assessment and constant engagement with club coaches.
Queiroz described the selection phase as exhaustive and highly structured, built on continuous observation, data review, and consultations across multiple levels of the game.
He said every inclusion came after sustained scrutiny and dialogue, leaving him satisfied with the 26-man group he believes can carry Ghana into the tournament.
Beyond the official list, he revealed an additional presence in camp, bringing the total to 27.
“We have the privilege to have another player with us — a goalkeeper — who accepts to be part of our team, part of our training, and ready if something happens in that department. That gives me comfort and confidence before the World Cup.”
He also noted that this arrangement, while uncommon in public perception, forms part of his broader planning approach for tournament football.
The decision to integrate a standby goalkeeper, he explained, is rooted in the unpredictable nature of tournament football and the specific demands of the position.
He stressed that once a World Cup begins, preparation time disappears, making emergency replacements difficult if not impossible.
According to him, maintaining an additional goalkeeper serves a dual purpose: it supports long-term development within Ghana’s goalkeeping pool while also providing immediate insurance during the competition.
He added that the player in question is young, talented, and already being tracked for future involvement.
“If we’re forced to make that decision — which I hope doesn’t happen — he’s ready. He’s ready to compete, to perform. That’s the key: you have to be ready.”
Queiroz dismissed the idea that such planning is unusual, arguing that elite national teams often adopt similar precautions.
He pointed to past tournaments where he himself incorporated developmental players into squads to guard against unexpected disruptions and maintain training continuity.
The coach also addressed the setback involving Alexander Djiku, who picked up an injury during a cup final, forcing a late adjustment to the squad.
He described the situation as unfortunate and emotionally difficult, praising Djiku’s professionalism and character.
Although he has not worked extensively with him on the pitch, Queiroz said he invested time studying the defender through video analysis and external feedback.
The replacement process, he explained, followed a strict readiness principle.
“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.”
Derrick Luckassen was eventually called up after being identified as match-fit and prepared within the broader player pool.
Queiroz also highlighted the challenge of limited preparation time, noting that more than half of the squad only linked up with camp shortly before the match due to club commitments.
Some players were granted recovery time after a congested domestic calendar, with certain competitions running unusually late into May.
He pointed to scheduling conflicts in modern football as a growing issue for national teams trying to assemble full squads during international windows.
As a result, Ghana entered the final stage of preparation with minimal collective training time.
“Today — the day before the game — is the first time we have the team together. That’s an innovation for my football book.”
For Queiroz, the emphasis now shifts from availability to cohesion, as he attempts to rapidly forge unity within a short window.
He argued that national teams often struggle with connection due to limited training sessions and the presence of high-profile players accustomed to individual expression.
His focus, he said, is on instilling collective responsibility and a shared identity rooted in the national jersey.
He emphasised the importance of coordinated movement in both defence and attack, where effort and structure outweigh individual brilliance.
“When we defend, we have to defend with 14… when we win the ball, we attack with six or seven.”
Queiroz struck a balance between optimism and realism, framing Ghana’s World Cup ambitions as grounded in belief but shaped by competitive reality.
He said football thrives on debate and differing opinions, which he sees as part of what drives progress and ambition within the game.
He also made a distinction between roles, stating that his responsibility is to integrate players, not divide or exclude them.
While he works with a selected 26, he said his tactical thinking involves a wider pool of options depending on circumstances and match demands.
He stressed that balance, structure, and decision-making are central to building a competitive tournament team.
Turning to fans, Queiroz urged Ghanaians to rally behind the team while maintaining realistic expectations about the challenge ahead.
He said the players are deeply motivated and emotionally connected to representing the nation, having expressed strong personal commitment during individual conversations.
However, he warned against underestimating the level of opposition at the World Cup, where margins are expected to be extremely tight.
When matches begin, he said, every game effectively resets to an even contest.
Ultimately, he tagged Ghana’s approach as one built on effort, discipline, and unity, with the aim of delivering performances that make supporters proud regardless of outcome.
