Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup appear set to continue without an additional friendly match before their opening group game against Panama on June 17.
Ghana Football Association Communications Director Henry Asante Twum has revealed that, at this stage, plans for another preparatory fixture are unlikely, although he stopped short of ruling out the possibility completely.
The GFA Communications Director explained that any late decision would depend on the technical team’s assessment of what the squad needs ahead of the tournament.
Speaking on the possibility of another preparatory match before Ghana’s World Cup opener, Henry Asante Twum admitted that no fixture has currently been confirmed.
“At this point, it is a big no [playing another friendly game]. We don’t have any game on paper at this point. It doesn’t look likely, but I am not in the position to rule out anything yet.”
The GFA Communications Director explained that any late decision would depend on the technical team’s assessment of what the squad needs ahead of the tournament.
“If it is that we wake up tomorrow and he wants to play maybe a mid to low intensity game, I don’t think he will accept a higher intensity game at this point.
“But if it is that we wake up tomorrow and he wants to play a mid to low intensity game, we will make it public. At this point, there is nothing of the sort on paper.”
Asante Twum also stressed that the Ghana Football Association and head coach Carlos Queiroz remain aligned in planning the team’s final preparations.
“If the coach wants a game, we arrange. If he doesn’t need a game, we move. We told him about a second game before we played against Wales. We were all looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen and collectively we have decided to move on. So it’s not about only the coach or the FA. We work hand in hand to ensure that the best possible arrangements are made for the team.”
The comments follow speculation that Ghana could face Honduras in one last friendly before travelling to Toronto for their Group L opener.
However, those reports were later dismissed, leaving the Black Stars with only two warm-up games before the World Cup. Ghana previously suffered a 2-0 defeat against Mexico before drawing 1-1 with Wales in Cardiff earlier this week.
The draw against Wales offered encouraging signs for new head coach Carlos Queiroz despite the late equaliser that denied Ghana victory.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored his first senior goal for the Black Stars, while Ernest Nuamah impressed with an energetic second-half display. Queiroz, who is preparing for his first World Cup in charge of Ghana, is expected to use the remaining training sessions to fine-tune his squad ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ghana have been drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama in what is considered one of the toughest groups of the competition.
The Black Stars are chasing a return to the knockout stage for the first time since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they reached the quarter-finals.
