American sports outlet The Athletic has ranked Ghana 26th in a recent assessment of the expanded 48-team field for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, positioning the Black Stars as a high-potential wildcard despite a period of significant internal instability.
The ranking speaks to the squad’s individual brilliance, specifically highlighting Premier League stars Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo.
According to the publication, “any team that contains Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo should be worth the admission fee alone,” suggesting that Ghana possesses the raw talent to compete with the world’s elite on their day.
Ghana currently sits at 74th in the FIFA World Rankings, a reflection of a disastrous stretch that saw them fail to qualify for the most recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The report notes that “not all is well” within the camp, underscored by the sudden sacking of manager Otto Addo following a string of poor results in recent international friendlies. This leadership vacuum comes at a critical time as the team prepares for a daunting gauntlet in Group L.
The Black Stars are set to face a difficult path in the group stages, drawn alongside global powerhouses England and Croatia, as well as a resilient Panama side.
Despite these hurdles, The Athletic maintains that Ghana remains “one of several nations who, with momentum, could go on a bit of a run,” provided they can find a steady hand to lead them before the opening whistle.
