2026 World Cup: GFA must consider including Kwesi Appiah in Black Stars technical team - Osei Owusu Bempah

Veteran sports journalist Osei Owusu Bempah has called for former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah to be included in Ghana’s technical team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Bempah’s recommendation follows Appiah’s recent success with Sudan, leading the team to their first victory at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking to Asempa FM, Bempah described Appiah as a key asset with the technical expertise and experience needed to strengthen the Black Stars’ coaching staff.

"I believe Kwesi Appiah should be included in the Black Stars technical team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He is a valuable asset; he has the personality and the technical ability to understand the game.

"We must understand that he will be there to help, and for me, I will not see anything wrong with that," he added.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England on June 23 in Boston, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

After early exits at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 tournament in Qatar, Ghana will be keen to make a stronger showing in the expanded 2026 edition.

Meanwhile, Appiah will aim to guide Sudan to a Round of 16 spot at AFCON when they face Burkina Faso on New Year’s Eve.

Appiah, who also serves on the GFA Executive Council, is remembered for becoming the first Ghanaian coach to lead the Black Stars to World Cup qualification in 2014. However, following Ghana’s Round of 16 exit at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, he was dismissed after Kurt Okraku became GFA president.