Following the release of the Black Stars team, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku urged positivity and support in the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Kurt Okraku, seated next to representatives from the Ghana Football Association and Black Stars coach Otto Addo, formally unveiled Ghana’s final tournament roster today.
The 2022 World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 20 through December 18, 2022. This will be the first World Cup ever to be staged in the Arab world and the second World Cup entirely hosted in Asia after the tournament in South Korea and Japan in 2002. The tournament will also feature the final 32-team field; the field size will increase to 48 teams for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
Jojo Wollacott of Charlton Athletic, Richard Ofori of Orlando Pirates, and Baba Iddrisu of Real Mallorca are all out from the roster owing to injuries.
Jeffrey Schlupp of Crystal Palace and Joseph Paintsil of Genk have both been left out for separate reasons.
After releasing his World Cup roster to the media, Otto Addo stated:
“This is the Black Stars and only 26 players had the opportunity to be called. Let us support the team and the technical team. As I have said, only 26 players will have to be in Qatar and not 26 million players,” said the FA boss.
“All the negativity around the Black Stars team, must stop. Let’s be positive. Let’s rally around the flag and let’s make our dear nation great and strong,”
Additionally, Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, Brugge striker Kamal Sowah, Rens midfielder Abdul Salis Samed, and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh of Hearts of Oak have received their first calls to the national team.
In Group H, the Black Stars of Ghana are placed with Uruguay, Portugal, and South Korea. Ghana will play Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974, South Korea on November 28 at Education City Stadium, and Uruguay on December 2 at Al Janoub Stadium in their final group match.
