Head Coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, says the national team will be reinforced to make a meaningful impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
On Sunday, Addo became the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the national team for successive FIFA World Cup appearances. A 47th-minute strike from Mohammed Kudus secured a 1-0 victory over Comoros in Ghana’s final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The win took Ghana’s points tally to 25 from 10 matches — six points clear of second-placed Madagascar — making the Black Stars the fifth African nation to secure a spot at the global tournament.
Speaking to the media after the match, Coach Addo was asked what would be required for the team to succeed at the World Cup or match the historic performance of the 2010 squad.
He was emphatic that the current team has not yet reached that level.
“The 2010 squad made the quarterfinals. They had seven or eight players who played regularly in the Champions League or at top levels,” he said.
“In those days, we had players featuring regularly for Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Fenerbahce, Olympique Marseille, among others, and that was massive.”
He stressed that the current crop is still developing.
“We are not there yet. We have to put together good players and work hard so that they can get to that top level.”
Addo cautioned against early expectations of World Cup heroics, stressing the importance of building a stronger squad.
“We will use training games to strengthen the team, taking each game as it comes. That will help us get better and be well-prepared for the tournament.”
He praised his players for their effort and character throughout the qualifiers.
“For these qualifiers, we fought together as a unit. There is unity in the team; this is very important. It helped us to structure and build a team, making everything else easier.”
On becoming the first coach to qualify Ghana for two World Cups, Addo described it as a proud personal milestone but insisted the achievement belongs to the nation.
“It’s good for us — for everyone, every Ghanaian, and the players. It’s not only about me; it’s about us.”
Touching on squad selection for the tournament, he acknowledged the competition for places, particularly in attack.
“We have like eight months to observe, to look, and to make the right decisions. We have some friendly games where I hope a lot of players can show themselves. At the moment, we have good players around.”
He added that there are even quality players who have not yet been called up, making his role both challenging and exciting.
“But I think this is the best situation for Ghana. Everyone is hungry to go to the World Cup; everyone is playing their best, and I hope the boys keep scoring, keep defending well, and make the decision difficult for me,” he concluded.
By Raymond Ackumey
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