2026 World Cup: Mohammed Kudus absence will be a big blow to Black Stars - Asamoah Gyan

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has expressed concern over the possible absence of Mohammed Kudus from Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that it could weaken the team’s attacking options.

Kudus, 25, is currently recovering from an injury that casts doubt over his participation in the tournament in North America, leaving Ghana’s coaching staff monitoring his fitness closely ahead of the competition.

Speaking on Channel One TV, Gyan described the midfielder as a central figure in the Black Stars setup, praising his creativity, vision, and intelligence in the final third.

He stressed that Kudus’ influence in attack is difficult to replace and cautioned that his potential absence would be a major setback if recovery does not go as planned.

Gyan, however, urged Ghana’s technical team to respond proactively by identifying tactical alternatives and strengthening squad depth to remain competitive on the global stage.

While acknowledging the disappointment of Kudus’ injury situation, the country’s all-time World Cup top scorer insisted Ghana must stay focused and adapt strategically ahead of their group-stage fixtures.

Ghana, represented by the Ghana national football team, have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.