2026 World Cup: Andre Ayew left out as Carlos Queiroz finalises Black Stars squad
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has excluded veteran forward André Ayew from his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in a decision that confirms the end of the midfielder’s long-standing involvement with the national team for now.
Ayew, 36, a former cornerstone of Ghana’s set-up, has not featured for the national side since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana exited at the group stage.
Despite a brief return to club football with Dutch side NAC Breda on a short-term deal in the second half of the season, his case for a recall failed to convince the technical team.
Reports indicate that Ayew was not included even in the provisional 53-man squad submitted to FIFA, effectively ruling him out before the final list was trimmed.
The decision means the forward will miss what would have been another World Cup appearance, with the official squad announcement expected on June 1 in conjunction with the Ghana Football Association.
Public debate had grown in recent weeks over a possible recall, with Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, openly backing the player’s return.
He described Ayew as an experienced presence who could offer leadership at the tournament, comparing him to a “player-coach” figure within the squad.
Ayew, who remains Ghana’s most capped player, recently parted ways with NAC Breda following their relegation from the Dutch top flight, having scored once in 16 appearances.
Ghana, commonly known as the Ghana national football team, will be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup, drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.
Their campaign begins on June 17 against Panama in Toronto, before facing England in Boston on June 23, and concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Preparations continue with friendly matches scheduled against Mexico on May 22 and Wales on June 2 as the squad builds toward the tournament.