Ghana, one of the five African representatives at the FIFA 2022 World Cup, look primed for an exciting tournament despite being drawn into an incredibly tough group.
After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the Black Stars, led by former international Otto Addo, now boast a wealth of young talent. However, there are some challenges along the way.
Addo was only appointed earlier this year after the national team underwent a managerial change following a disappointing performance at the Africa Cup of Nations. In a turnaround, the new coach helped the team qualify for the World Cup just two months later, defeating African powerhouse Nigeria on away goals in a 1-1 aggregate playoff draw.
Now the climb is tough as they face Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in the group stage in Qatar.
Ghana World Cup Squad 2022
Addo was one of the last head coaches to name his final 26-man squad at FIFA, including Premier League trio Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, and Daniel Amartey.
Ghana will play a friendly against Switzerland on November 17 before opening their Group G campaign against Portugal on November 24 in Doha.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
| GK | 16 | Manaf Nurudeen | Eupen (BEL) | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| GK | 1 | Lawrence Ati Zigi | St Gallen (SWI) | 25 | 10 | 1 |
| GK | 12 | Ibrahim Danlad | Asante Kotoko (GHA) | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | 18 | Daniel Amartey | Leicester City (ENG) | 27 | 43 | 7 |
| DEF | 15 | Joseph Aidoo | Celta Vigo (SPA) | 27 | 10 | 2 |
| DEF | 23 | Alexander Dijku | Strasbourg (FRA) | 28 | 18 | 7 |
| DEF | 2 | Tariq Lamptey | Brighton (ENG) | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| DEF | 14 | Gideon Mensah | AJ Auxerre (FRA) | 24 | 11 | 3 |
| DEF | 3 | Denis Odoi | Club Brugge (BEL) | 34 | 4 | 2 |
| DEF | 4 | Mohamed Salisu | Southampton (ENG) | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| DEF | 17 | Baba Rahman | Reading (ENG) | 28 | 47 | 5 |
| DEF | 26 | Seidu Alidu | Clermont Foot (FRA) | 22 | 2 | 0 |
| MID | 20 | Mohammed Kudus | Ajax (NED) | 22 | 16 | 6 |
| MID | 8 | Daniel Kofi-Kyereh | Freiburg (GER) | 26 | 12 | 7 |
| MID | 5 | Thomas Partey | Arsenal (ENG) | 29 | 40 | 7 |
| MID | 6 | Elisha Owusu | Gent (BEL) | 25 | 2 | 1 |
| MID | 7 | Fatawu Issahaku | Sporting (POR) | 18 | 11 | 4 |
| MID | 11 | Osman Bukari | Red Star Belgrade (SER) | 23 | 5 | 2 |
| MID | 13 | Daniel Afriyie | Hearts of Oak (GHA) | 21 | 5 | 0 |
| MID | 21 | Salis Abdul Samed | Lens (FRA) | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 24 | Kamal Sowah | Club Brugge (BEL) | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| MID | 22 | Kamaldeen Sulemana | Stade Rennes (FRA) | 20 | 11 | 5 |
| FWD | 25 | Antoine Semenyo | Bristol City (ENG) | 22 | 1 | 2 |
| FWD | 10 | Andre Ayew | Al Sadd (QAT) | 32 | 107 | 5 |
| FWD | 9 | Jordan Ayew | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 31 | 82 | 7 |
| FWD | 19 | Inaki Williams | Athletic Club (ESP) | 28 | 1 | 0 |
The Stars, Strengths, and Weaknesses of the Ghana National Team
Ghana head coach Addo has plenty of European players lined up for the 2022 World Cup, giving him plenty of stars to choose from.
Eddo is a German-born former winger who spent time with Borussia Dortmund, Mainz, Hamburg, Hannover, and Hamburg during his 16-year playing career, earning 15 caps for the national team. Ghana’s coaching staff also includes former Premier League manager Chris Hughton, who had spells at Newcastle, Norwich City, and Brighton among other English sides.
After reaching the round of 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals in 2010, the Black Stars will be hoping to regain former glory as they look to make the knockouts for the third time in their history.
STARS
The biggest name in Ghana’s squad is Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, who will man the middle of the pitch. Party’s presence is a big reason why the Gunners are challenging for the Premier League title this season, and he is in fine form at the World Cup.
Although not big names around the world, brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew are the main leaders of the Ghana national team. Andre wears the captain’s armband and is one of the most capped players in the tournament.
POWERS
Ghana is very deep defensively, relying on many top players. The leader is Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey, who has struggled at the club level but has been a consistent presence for the national team.
Denis Odoi, cast by Fulham, is having a strong year at Club Brugge, with Champions League performances. Both Amartey and Odoi have the flexibility to play in the backline.
French-born Aleksandar Dijk was used often in World Cup qualifiers, but his club Strasbourg has struggled defensively in Ligue 1. Mohamed Salisu of Southampton has only recently been brought into the national team but is one for the future.
The attack is also deep, featuring a host of young talent. Kamaldeen Sulemana, 20, and Abdul Isahaku Fatawu, 18, have been in fine form for both club and country, with double-digit national team caps at their young ages. Inaki Williams, 28, has also been performing well for his club Athletic Bilbao this year and should contribute despite his lack of experience at the international level.
The Ghana forward group has enough youth and talent to help the Black Stars gradually outshine the veteran IU brothers who will play key roles in this World Cup.
WEAKNESS
While Party’s presence in midfield gives Ghana an edge, the rest of the options behind the Arsenal man are slim.
Daniel Coffey-Kayreh is a useful player but he doesn’t make much progress and has missed some time in the run-up to the World Cup due to injury. Mohamed Qudus is a young talent but plays sparingly for Ajax, often coming off the bench.
They are also missing key names due to injury with midfielder Idrissu Babu out and goalkeeping duo Richard Ofori and Joe Wollacott sidelined.