2026 World Cup: Carlos Queiroz must work to improve Black Stars players - Sports Minister Kofi Adams

Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams has raised concerns over the inability of some of Ghana’s top players to replicate their club form on the international stage, urging head coach Carlos Queiroz to address the issue ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Ghana have long struggled to maximise the output of key talents in national team colours — a recurring problem that contributed to the dismissal of former head coach Otto Addo.

Players such as Antoine Semenyo have particularly come under scrutiny, with the forward yet to deliver the same impact for the Black Stars that he consistently produces at club level. Semenyo has scored three goals in 34 appearances for Ghana, all of them coming in friendly matches.

Speaking on SoccerChat, Adams said he finds it difficult to understand the disparity between club and international performances, pointing to several leading names in the squad.

“Why would we have Antoine Semenyo in our team? He goes to Man City and can dribble about three zones of play and score, but when he comes to the national team, he’s not able to play effectively? Kudus plays well for his club, but at the national team, he sometimes struggles to have that kind of flair," he said.

He added that the newly appointed head coach must find solutions to unlock the squad’s full potential.

"So the new coach [Carlos Queiroz] has work to do to make these talents achieve results,” the Buem MP added.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the 2026 World Cup alongside Panama, England and Croatia. They begin their campaign against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17, before taking on England at the Boston Stadium on June 23.

The Black Stars will conclude their group-stage matches against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.

After exiting at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022, Ghana will be aiming for a stronger showing in 2026 as they prepare with friendly matches against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2.