Accra: Ghana's build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a dramatic turn after the Black Stars named a 28-man squad for their final preparation camp in Cardiff, with several high-profile absentees dominating the conversation. Head coach Carlos Queiroz has assembled his largest squad yet ahead of the June 2, 2026, friendly against Wales, but the selection has left out a number of established names and in-form players. According to Ghana Web, one of the biggest talking points is the omission of Kudus Mohammed. The Tottenham midfielder, who suffered an injury in January 2026, had been widely expected to return for the World Cup run-in after reports suggested he was close to full fitness. However, he has not been included, marking a major blow to Ghana's creative options. The exclusion of veteran forward Andre Ayew, who was recently playing for NAC Breda in the Netherlands, has also raised eyebrows. Despite long-standing debates over his international future, Ayew has now been left out entirely, following a difficult spell after the club's relegation. Majeed Ashimeru, who misses out despite featuring and even captaining Ghana in the recent friendly against Mexico, is another notable omission. Ashimeru showed glimpses of his form after a challenging injury period but failed to secure a spot in the squad. Joseph Paintsil, the LA Galaxy attacker who missed the 2022 World Cup, had regained strong MLS form and was seen as a strong contender to feature in this final squad phase. However, he has once again been overlooked. The most emotional exclusion appears to be Derrick Kohn. The 27-year-old impressed during the March friendlies, setting up a goal in Ghana's 2-1 loss to Germany. Despite being reportedly told to report to camp and having contributed significantly in the Bundesliga, Kohn has been left out of the squad entirely in favor of the returning Baba Abdul Rahman.
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