We are hoping to achieve big things at 2026 World Cup - Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew

Captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana national football team will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup determined to compete strongly and make the nation proud.

The tournament, set to be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada, will see the Black Stars return to football’s biggest stage with renewed ambition after mixed results in recent editions.

Ayew insists the four-time African champions are not travelling simply to participate but to challenge and aim for meaningful success.

“We are going to the World Cup to give our very best. We want to put on a show and, hopefully, achieve the results we are aiming for. We are not just going to the USA to make up the numbers.

The forward emphasised the importance of unity and belief within the squad as preparations continue for the global showpiece.

"We will stay humble and focused, and hopefully we can dream of achieving big things. We need positive energy around the team, and we will do everything we can to make the nation proud.”

Ghana will be hoping to channel the spirit that carried them to the quarter-finals in the 2010 World Cup as they seek to make a strong impact at the expanded 2026 tournament.

Ghana, who are making their fifth appearance at the Mundial, have been drawn in Group L and will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17, meet England on June 23, and close the group stage against Croatia on June 27.

As part of their build-up to the tournament, Ghana will face Germany and Austria in friendly matches later this month. The Black Stars face Mexico in May, before taking on Wales in June, nine days before the tournament begins.

The squad will be based at Bryant University in the United States throughout the tournament.

Having exited at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars are aiming for a more competitive showing in North America.