Carlos Queiroz Names 28-Man Squad as Ghana Prepares for World Cup
The Black Stars are back in camp, and Carlos Queiroz has made it clear: this is no casual get‑together. With a World Cup on the horizon and Wales waiting in Cardiff, Ghana’s head coach has named a 28-man squad that blends old scars, fresh legs, and a glimpse of the future.
The group, assembled in Cardiff on Monday, May 25, 2026, is built for hard work. Five goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, seven forwards. No frills. Just depth across the pitch as Ghana sharpen up for Tuesday’s friendly against Wales and, beyond that, the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Baba Rahman’s Road Back
One of the most striking names on the list is Baba Abdul Rahman. The Greece-based defender returns to the national team for the first time since September 2023. His route back has not been through reputation, but through form.
At PAOK, the former Chelsea left back has quietly pieced together a strong season: 35 appearances, three goals, three assists in all competitions. Those numbers have pushed him back into the frame, but it is the consistency behind them that has caught Queiroz’s eye. A player once seen as a mainstay now has the chance to reclaim that status on the international stage.
Nuamah Fit and Firing Again
On the opposite flank of the pitch, another comeback carries a different kind of weight. Ernest Nuamah, the Olympique Lyon winger, returns after close to a year out. An anterior cruciate ligament injury kept him away from the game for more than 12 months, a brutal spell for any attacking player whose game relies on sharp bursts and fearless dribbling.
Now he is back to full fitness. For Ghana, that means the return of a direct, unpredictable wide option just as the team begins to shape its attacking identity for the tournament. For Nuamah, it is a chance to restart a national-team journey that was abruptly halted.
Defence Reinforced, Midfield Recharged
The injury comebacks do not stop there. Abdul Mumin of Rayo Vallecano also makes the squad after his own long layoff with an anterior cruciate ligament problem. His recall strengthens the central defensive pool, an area that will be tested heavily against the likes of England and Croatia later in the year.
Saint-Étienne midfielder Augustine Boakye is another notable returnee, offering energy and invention between the lines. At the back, Stade Rennes defender Alidu Seidu is also back in the fold, adding bite and versatility across the defensive line.
These are not cosmetic additions. They are players who have known the frustration of watching from the sidelines and now arrive with something to prove.
A Glimpse of Tomorrow: Paul Reverson
Amid the familiar names, one stands out for a different reason. Ajax Amsterdam youngster Paul Reverson has been handed a call-up, not as a token gesture, but for “further assessment with a long-term view.”
The 20-year-old has impressed for Ajax’s youth side in the Netherlands, and this camp offers Queiroz and his staff a close look at a player who could grow into a key figure in future cycles. For now, he enters a senior environment where competition is fierce and mistakes are costly. The message is clear: the door is open, but the standard is high.
Cardiff First, World Stage Next
Training at Dragon Park in Cardiff sets the tone. Wales on June 2 is the first test, a chance to blend returning players with established figures, to tighten defensive lines and rehearse attacking patterns before the stakes rise.
Beyond the friendly lies the real challenge. Ghana open their World Cup campaign in Group L against Panama in Toronto. Then come two heavyweights: England in Boston, Croatia in Philadelphia. Three games, three very different problems to solve.
Queiroz’s 28-man squad is not a final verdict, but it is a strong statement. Experience restored. Young talent invited. Injured pillars rebuilt.
The work now is to turn this mix into a team ready for Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia – and to prove that these recalls and risks will carry the Black Stars deep into 2026, not just to the starting line.
