Alban Bagbin questions Ghana’s World Cup prospects after Otto Addo sack

Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has voiced concern over Ghana’s preparedness for the 2026 World Cup in the wake of Otto Addo’s dismissal as head coach of the Black Stars.

Addo, 50, was relieved of his duties after consecutive defeats to Austria and Germany during the March international window.

At the launch of the 3rd edition of the Democracy Cup, Bagbin described the decision as surprising and troubling, suggesting that the current state of the national team is unrecognisable.

“You’re seeing what is happening with the national team; this can not be Ghana. I was very, very surprised when I heard the coach was axed,” he said.

The Speaker also criticised tactical decisions in the 2-1 loss to Germany on March 30, particularly regarding the use of a shorter striker.

“When you have a short striker in front, the first measure is the speed of the striker against the defenders, then you know how to spin the balls for that striker to pick. What happened yesterday [against Germant] is not coaching,” he added.

With less than three months remaining before the World Cup, the Ghana Football Association faces pressure to name a successor and stabilise the squad ahead of key friendlies against Mexico and Wales in May and June.

Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, with ambitions to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2010.