Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken a dramatic turn after the Black Stars named a 28-man squad for their final preparation camp in Cardiff, with several high-profile absentees dominating the conversation.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz has assembled his largest squad yet ahead of the June 2, 2026, friendly against Wales, but the selection has left out a number of established names and in-form players.

Kudus Mohammed

One of the biggest talking points is the omission of Kudus Mohammed. The Tottenham midfielder, who suffered an injury in January 2026, had been widely expected to return for the World Cup run-in after reports suggested he was close to full fitness.

However, he has not been included, marking a major blow to Ghana’s creative options.

Where is Derrick Köhn? – Ghanaians react after Black Stars squad omission

Andre Ayew

The veteran forward, who was recently playing for NAC Breda in the Netherlands, has endured a difficult spell following the club’s relegation.

Despite long-standing debates over his international future, he has now been left out entirely.

Majeed Ashimeru

Majeed Ashimeru also misses out despite featuring and even captaining Ghana in the recent friendly against Mexico, where he showed glimpses of his form after a difficult injury period.

Joseph Painstil

Joseph Paintsil’s omission is another talking point. The LA Galaxy attacker, who missed the 2022 World Cup, had regained strong MLS form and was seen as a strong contender to feature in this final squad phase, but he has once again been overlooked.

Derrick Arthur-Kohn

Perhaps the most emotional exclusion is Derrick Kohn. The 27-year-old was one of the players who impressed during the March friendlies, setting up a goal in Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Germany.

However, with the return of Baba Abdul Rahman, Carlos Queiroz has opted for the former Asante Kotoko defender.

Kohn scored once and made two assists in 29 Bundesliga appearances, but although he was reportedly told to report to camp, he has been left out of the squad entirely.

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