Head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 23-man Black Stars squad for Ghana’s international friendly against Mexico ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with six Ghana Premier League players earning surprise call-ups.
The locally-based players selected for the fixture are goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, Salim Adams, Ebenezer Abban, Razak Simpson, Gideon Aseako and Ebenezer Adade, as Queiroz begins assessing options ahead of the Mundial. The friendly against host nation Mexico is scheduled for May 22 and is expected to serve as a key preparatory game before the tournament begins next month.
The squad also sees the return of midfielder Majeed Ashimeru and forward Felix Afena-Gyan, who have both been recalled to the national team setup. However, several regular Black Stars players have been left out, largely due to club commitments and ongoing European league schedules, with some seasons yet to conclude.
Queiroz’s selection signals a major shake-up in the national team as he looks to test new combinations and give fringe players the opportunity to impress before naming his final World Cup squad. The upcoming friendly presents a crucial chance for both local and foreign-based players to stake a claim for a place in Ghana’s squad for the global tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin on June 11, with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match. Ghana will be hoping the blend of youth, local talent and returning faces can provide momentum ahead of the competition.
By Jones Adzi
