Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has advised the Ghana national team to channel their full focus into their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning against being distracted by more glamorous fixtures later in the group stage.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Agyemang-Badu stressed that Ghana’s campaign will be shaped by how they approach their first encounter against Panama.
“The Panama match will be very tough, and that is where our total concentration should be—not on England or Croatia,” he said, underlining the importance of a strong start.
While acknowledging that progression from the group remains Ghana’s primary objective, the former international insisted that success will only come through discipline and a game-by-game approach. According to him, overlooking the opening fixture could prove costly in a highly competitive tournament.
Agyemang-Badu also touched on squad selection, urging the technical team to prioritise fitness when naming players for the tournament, which will be staged across three host nations. He warned that carrying unfit players could undermine the team’s chances in such a physically demanding competition.
His remarks reflect a pragmatic outlook for the Black Stars, positioning the clash against Panama as more than just the first match, but a crucial foundation upon which Ghana’s entire World Cup campaign will be built.
