Ghana national football team are reportedly set to include three home-based players in their squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as coach Carlos Queiroz looks to reward standout performers from the Ghana Premier League.
The expanded 48-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will see Ghana compete in a difficult Group L alongside England national football team, Croatia national football team and Panama national football team.
The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England in Boston on June 23. Their final group game will be against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
Reports suggest Queiroz is keen on integrating local talent into the final squad, a move viewed as both a technical decision and a statement of confidence in Ghana’s domestic league.
Another motivating factor is FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, which compensates clubs for releasing players to the World Cup. Clubs are expected to receive around $11,000 per day for each player involved during the tournament period.
For Ghana Premier League clubs, the inclusion of local players could provide a major financial boost while also highlighting the growing quality and competitiveness of domestic football ahead of the tournament in North America.
