Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after suffering a setback in his recovery from a quad injury. This news comes as a significant blow to the Ghana national team, who will miss one of their key attacking players ahead of the tournament.
Kudus, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, has been sidelined since January due to the injury. Although he was expected to return to action in March, complications in his recovery have prevented him from participating in any matches since then. His absence will be felt deeply, as he has scored 13 goals in 46 international appearances for Ghana.
Impact on Ghana’s World Cup preparations
The loss of Kudus adds to the challenges faced by the Black Stars as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup. Ghana’s head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has named a preliminary 28-man squad that includes notable players such as Thomas Partey and Antoine Semenyo. However, the squad is also missing several key players due to injuries.
Alongside Kudus, other players like Mohammed Salisu and Francis Abu will also miss the tournament due to long-term injuries. Salisu has been a vital part of the defence, while Abu suffered a broken leg in a friendly match against Japan. Additionally, Tarique Lamptey will miss out due to injury, further depleting the squad.
Ghana’s preparations have not gone smoothly, with the team losing their last six friendly matches, including a 2-0 defeat to Mexico. The squad is set to face Wales in a friendly on June 2, just before finalising their 26-man squad for the World Cup on June 1.
Ghana’s World Cup group and key players
Ghana has been drawn in Group L for the World Cup, alongside Croatia, England, and Panama. The team’s opening match is against Panama on June 17, followed by fixtures against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
Despite the setbacks, the squad still boasts talented players. Antoine Semenyo, who has had a successful season with Manchester City, is expected to lead the attack. He scored 19 goals and provided six assists, helping his club win the FA Cup and EFL Cup. Other forwards like Inaki Williams and Jordan Ayew will also play crucial roles in the team’s performance.
Ghana’s football association and coaching staff will need to quickly adapt to the absence of Kudus and other injured players. The team will be looking to build chemistry and find effective strategies during their remaining training sessions and friendlies.
As the World Cup approaches, the focus will be on how Ghana can overcome these challenges and make a strong showing in the tournament.
Ghana’s preliminary squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi
- Defenders: Baba Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Alidu Seidu, Abdul Mumin, Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Kojo Peprah, Alexander Djiku
- Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Augustine Boakye, Caleb Yirenkyi
- Forwards: Kamaldeen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Prince Kwabena Adu, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew
The final squad will be announced on June 1, just days before Ghana’s friendly against Wales.
Kwame Ofori
Yaw Appiah
Ama Serwah
Evelyn Mensah