Ghana's World Cup 2026 Preview: Queiroz's Challenge and Star Player Semenyo

This article is part of the Guardian’s 2026 World Cup Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.

The plan

Ghana’s performance in a warm-up match against Wales in Cardiff gave a sense of what their new coach, Carlos Queiroz, might be up to. The first half was not surprising – a leaky, low block with poorly coordinated pressing that brought back memories of the dysfunctional team Otto Addo had left behind. The second half was markedly different: a well-coordinated mid-block with synchronised pressing and better protection for the full-backs.

In terms of structure, Queiroz favours a back four – as opposed to Otto’s back three. In Cardiff, he started with a double pivot of Elisha Owusu and a remarkably off-the-pace Thomas Partey, whose withdrawal in the second half for Caleb Yirenkyi seemed significant. The midfield pairing of Yirenkyi, who scored Ghana’s goal, and Kwasi Sibo brought a lot of dynamism and intensity.

Out wide, Ernest Nuamah and Christopher Bonsu Baah have pushed themselves to the front of the queue for the right-wing spot. While Baah excelled on the left against Wales, Antoine Semenyo is expected to have that spot under lock and key. That will probably leave Iñaki Williams, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Abdul Fatawu waiting in the wings.

Ghana’s main concern is a lack of goals up front. Jordan Ayew, who directly contributed to 14 goals during qualifying, scored just six times for Leicester last season. More worryingly, Ayew started just over half the games for a side that was relegated to League One. The hope is that Manchester City’s Semenyo, who registered 17 goals and four assists in the Premier League, will inspire Ghana in attack.

Ghana – drawn with England, Croatia and Panama in Group L – have enough talent to make an impact in North America. Their best showing so far at a World Cup? The quarter-finals in 2010.

The coach

Carlos Queiroz has coaching experience at Real Madrid and Manchester United, and has worked at the World Cup on four occasions – 2010 with Portugal, and 2014, 2018, and 2022 with Iran. But the Portuguese describes his latest job as the most difficult yet. “After eight national teams and a couple of important competitions, this is the biggest challenge of my entire career, and I am ready for that,” Queiroz said. “When you work for Ghana, they don’t expect anything different than win, win, win. That is why it is the biggest challenge.”

Star player

In a parallel universe right now, Antoine Semenyo is heading to the World Cup with England, probably as a starter. But the London-born forward will be wearing Ghana’s gold shirt in Foxborough on 23 June, when the Black Stars face the Three Lions. In truth, Semenyo’s international career has not gone according to plan, with three goals in 34 appearances a poor return. But his 17 goals and four assists for Bournemouth and Manchester City this season, plus the winner in the FA Cup final, make him one of the most formidable, in-form forwards in Europe and he should be Ghana’s main threat.

One to watch

Caleb Yirenkyi has been compared with Michael Essien and it’s not hard to see why with his range of tackling, passing and ability to drive the ball forward into the opposition half. He combines athleticism with technical ability and is effective at both ends of the pitch. In January a reported move to Brighton fell through, but there will be no shortage of suitors for the 20-year-old Nordsjælland midfielder. His club and international teammate Prince Amoako told Joy Sports in January: “He doesn’t see himself the way we see him because he’s a very humble guy. But Caleb is insane, he’s crazily good. He’s a superstar, and I tell him so every time.”

Unsung hero

After failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – the first Afcon they missed for more than 20 years – Ghana turned to Benjamin Asare, who became the first goalkeeper from the Ghana Premier League to start a competitive fixture for the national team since 2015. He was not particularly brilliant but saved the shots expected of him and restored confidence in an otherwise charitable backline. There are still concerns about his command over crosses, but his quick reflexes, agility, and impressive distribution are the reason a defence that conceded 13 goals in nine competitive games before he arrived suddenly went on a mean streak, conceding just once in six World Cup qualifiers.

Probable starting XI

What to expect from fans at games?

The Ghana Supporters Union may be the most colourful set of fans you will see this summer. With their powerful live band, they produce an electrifying atmosphere wherever they go. Fifa will not allow musical instruments in the grounds but, as they’ve shown in similar circumstances in the past, the Supporters Union will still bring the energy and Ghana’s unique, morale-lifting “jama” (a highly energetic, rhythmic and chant-like music). Ghana’s government is funding for thousands of supporters to travel to the tournament, raising more than $3m.

Relationship with the US/Trump?

Wary. Ghana has faced tariffs on goods, rows over visas and recently walked away from a big US health and aid deal, saying US negotiators had demanded access to the private health data of citizens. But the government, which last year agreed to accept people deported from the US by Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, treads a careful path. As for Carlos Queiroz – his long history of working for Iran may add to the sensitivity, but don’t expect big statements. In 2022 as Iran coach he refused to engage with the political heat around their game against USA in Qatar, saying: “Our mission is here to create entertainment, to make people happy. To bring smiles to all people for 90 minutes.”