Former Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, Fred Pappoe, has emphasised the importance of inviting the country’s top players for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Pappoe believes that Ghana’s best chance of topping Group I and qualifying for the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, lies in selecting the very best players.
Speaking to Peace FM, Pappoe stated, “I will say we can qualify; it is not because of who we are going to play because now the game in Africa has levelled up. Sometimes we Ghanaians don’t see it like that and accept it like that. To me, the best way that our chances to qualify will be brighter is to prepare well within FIFA rules.”
He also highlighted the challenges in organising long camps for the team, given the busy schedules of the players in their respective European clubs.
“The boys will be going back to their teams, so the preparation players won’t be available for you. The players will also be released 4 or 5 days before a match,” he added.
Pappoe stressed the need to call up the best players who are actively playing in their respective clubs, as there won’t be much time for extensive training. He emphasised the importance of the team’s cohesion and urged the selection of the best talents available for a successful qualification campaign.
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers will see Ghana compete against Mali, Madagascar, Comoros, Central African Republic, and Chad in Group I for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
