2026 World Cup: Otto Addo must assemble the best squad to compete, says Laryea Kingston

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has stressed the importance of the Black Stars assembling their strongest possible squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana’s senior national team will return to the global showpiece later this year, with matches scheduled across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Drawn in Group L, the Black Stars will face Panama national football team, England national football team and Croatia national football team. Kingston believes head coach Otto Addo must rely on the country’s top talents to compete effectively at the tournament.

"The World Cup is a top-level competition; so as a country, we need all our best players to compete well,” Kingston told the Daily Graphic.

Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 before taking on England on June 23. Their final group match will be against Croatia on June 27.

As part of preparations for the tournament, the Black Stars will regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team, before facing Mexico national football team in a final warm-up match in May.

The Ghana Football Association has also confirmed that the team will be based at Bryant University throughout the competition.

After suffering group-stage exits at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Black Stars will be hoping to make a stronger impression in North America.