Gideon Mensah has admitted that he was uncertain about earning a place in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but says persistence and hard work kept him focused throughout the qualification period.
The Black Stars left-back, who plays for AJ Auxerre, revealed in an interview that he never took his position for granted despite being part of the national team setup in recent years.
Mensah explained that competition within the squad was intense, making him unsure about whether he would make coach Carlos Queiroz’s final selection for the tournament. However, he stressed that he remained committed and continued working hard while waiting for the final decision.
The defender also stated that the Black Stars are determined to improve on their performance from the last World Cup and are fully focused on making a stronger impact at the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Speaking about life under Queiroz, Mensah described training sessions as demanding and tactical but believes the players are gradually adapting to the coach’s philosophy and style of play. According to him, the squad is learning new ideas and growing stronger together ahead of the competition.
Mensah further noted that the hot and sunny conditions in Cardiff, where Ghana are currently camping, are helping the team prepare physically for the World Cup, which begins on June 11.
The Black Stars will face Wales national football team on June 2 in their final international friendly before travelling to the United States to continue preparations for their opening Group L clash against Panama national football team.
