2026 World Cup: We hope to achieve big things, says Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew.
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana national football team will approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup with determination and belief as they aim to make the country proud.
The global tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, will mark Ghana’s return to football’s biggest stage with renewed ambition after disappointing outings in recent editions.
Ayew stressed that the four-time African champions will not travel to the tournament merely to participate but to compete and pursue meaningful results.
“We are going to the World Cup to give our very best. We want to put on a show and, hopefully, achieve the results we are aiming for. We are not just going to the USA to make up the numbers,” he said.
The forward also highlighted the importance of unity, humility and belief within the squad as preparations intensify ahead of the tournament.
“We will stay humble and focused, and hopefully we can dream of achieving big things. We need positive energy around the team, and we will do everything we can to make the nation proud.”
Ghana will be hoping to rediscover the momentum that carried them to the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as they seek to make a strong impression at the expanded 2026 competition.
The Black Stars, making their fifth appearance at the Mundial, have been drawn in Group L where they will open their campaign against Panama national football team on June 17. They will then face England national football team on June 23 before concluding the group phase against Croatia national football team on June 27.
As part of their preparations, Ghana will play friendly matches against Germany national football team and Austria national football team later this month. The team is also scheduled to face Mexico national football team in May before taking on Wales national football team in June, nine days before the tournament begins.
During the competition, the squad will be based at Bryant University in the United States.
After group-stage exits at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Ghana will be eager to deliver a more competitive performance when the tournament kicks off in North America.
