Ghana will be more than happy to be back in the FIFA tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition.
The African team has had the best performance among their continental rivals in the major international tournaments or better yet at the FIFA events, especially talking about the last few. They stunned the world 12 years ago when they almost made it to the semi-final against Uruguay and also four years later when they played a fearsome game against the eventual champion Germany that had a scoreline of 2-2.
What changes have been made in the Ghana squad since then? Here’s the Ghana squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Ghana Squad for Qatar World Cup
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Abdul Nurudeen | Eupen (BEL) | 23 | 2 |
| Goalkeeper | Richard Ofori | Orlando Pirates (GHA) | 28 | 25 |
| Goalkeeper | Joe Wollacott | Charlton Athletic (ENG) | 26 | 11 |
| Defender | Daniel Amartey | Leicester City (ENG) | 27 | 43 |
| Defender | Joseph Aidoo | Celta Vigo (SPA) | 27 | 10 |
| Defender | Alexander Dijku | Strasbourg (FRA) | 28 | 18 |
| Defender | Tariq Lamptey | Brighton (ENG) | 22 | 1 |
| Defender | Gideon Mensah | AJ Auxerre (FRA) | 24 | 11 |
| Defender | Denis Odoi | Club Brugge (BEL) | 34 | 4 |
| Defender | Mohamed Salisu | Southampton (ENG) | 23 | 1 |
| Defender | Baba Rahman | Reading (ENG) | 28 | 47 |
| Defender | Alidu Seidu | Clermont Foot (FRA) | 22 | 2 |
| Midfield | Majeed Ashimeru | Anderlecht (BEL) | 25 | 2 |
| Midfield | Iddrisu Baba | Mallorca (ESP) | 26 | 18 |
| Midfield | Mohammed Kudus | Ajax (NED) | 22 | 16 |
| Midfield | Daniel Kofi-Kyereh | Freiburg (GER) | 26 | 12 |
| Midfield | Thomas Partey | Arsenal (ENG) | 29 | 40 |
| Forward | Felix Afena-Gyan | Cremonese (ITA) | 19 | 9 |
| Forward | Andre Ayew | Al Sadd (QAT) | 32 | 107 |
| Forward | Jordan Ayew | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 31 | 82 |
| Forward | Osman Bukari | Red Star Belgrade (SRB) | 23 | 5 |
| Forward | Joel Fameyeh | Rubin Kazan (RUS) | 25 | 6 |
| Forward | Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | Sporting (POR) | 18 | 11 |
| Forward | Joseph Paintsil | Genk (BEL) | 24 | 5 |
| Forward | Kamaldeen Sulemana | Stade Rennes (FRA) | 20 | 11 |
| Forward | Inaki Williams | Athletic Club (ESP) | 28 | 1 |
What Teams Will Ghana Be Competing Against In The Group Stage?
Ghana will have a score to settle in one of the games of their group stage, against Uruguay. The La Celeste star, Luis Suarez stopped what could have been their winning goal and their ticket to the semi-final by illegally blocking it with his hands. The next group opponent for Ghana will be Portugal who they faced previously in the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the very same stage of the competition. The other team the Black Stars will compete against is the Asian powerhouse, South Korea.
Ghana’s group is definitively difficult with each of the teams equally ambitious and capable of giving upset to even the title contenders.
Ghana Group Fixtures
| Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
| Thurs, Nov. 24 | Portugal vs. Ghana | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
| Mon, Nov. 28 | South Korea vs. Ghana | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
| Fri, Dec. 2 | Ghana vs. Uruguay | 10 a.m. | Al Janoub Stadium |
Ghana Strengths
A multitude of players from their possible 26-man squad play for a number of European clubs. So many European teams will find them formidable, especially in their own style of play. In fact, Ghana is the one African country that even the favorites from Europe want to face as later as possible.
Thomas Partey taking charge in the midfield is one of the key features of the team.
Ghana’s deep defensive play has been their identity since the last few world cups. And it has more often than not worked very well in their favor.
Ghana’s attacking line is deep and lethal as well. Often proven dangerous attacking duo, Andre and Jordan Ayew (the brothers) are still the first preferences. Aiding them will be Kamaldeen Sulemana and Issahaku Fatawu both of whom despite being young have been in good form at both club and country. Speaking of attack, one couldn’t miss Inaki Williams who has been giving trouble to La Liga defenders for quite some years.
A definite choice in attack Mohammed Kudus offers a heavy goal threat, the player has been in a good form for quite a while now. Their fullbacks are also lethally capable of hitting the opponents on the break. Denis Odoi’s ability in the flanks (defensive and the pace to create attack) with which he helped Club Brugge reach the Champions League knockouts this season looks promising and valuable.
Of the many things heavyweights would like to label Ghana, the word, easy ain’t one.
Ghana Weaknesses
They have a relatively new manager helming the tactical role and somehow he still seems to find some problems coming up with a consistent game plan.
The midfield is somewhat completely dependent on Thomas Partey. Some young forwards have played little at the club level to bring experienced competency to their national side. The regulars at the club-level tournament haven’t been in a quality squad.
The team hasn’t completely thrown out their disappointing AFCON image and might still be en route to gaining the confidence of their past years.
The recent forms of Ghana have experts questioning their durability.
Expectations From Ghana In The Tournament
Ghana’s current run or form is indecisive even for experts. Whatever the case, they aren’t what they were in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 campaigns.
In addition, their 3-0 deficit at the hands of five-time world champion Brazil early in September has made analysts worry regarding if Ghanaians have what it takes to go toe to toe with big contenders.
Most experts have already considered them the expense at which favorites like Portugal and Uruguay would capitalize to secure a place in the round of 16. But even the two aforesaid teams have somewhat of similar transitional problems going on in their team.
