Antoine Semenyo Becomes Ghana's Anchor for the 2026 World Cup, Mohammed Kudus Absent

Antoine Semenyo is Ghana's new mainstay for the 2026 World Cup (Instagram/@antoinesemenyo).

JAKARTA - Manchester City striker Antoine Semenyo and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey are the mainstay of the Ghana squad for the 2026 World Cup which contains 28 players, but playmaker Mohammed Kudus is not included due to an injury that ended his season.

Coach Carlos Queiroz announced the squad on Monday, May 25, 2026, local time as Ghana opened a training camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Cardiff before a friendly against Wales on June 2, 2026.

Kudus did not make the list after a thigh muscle injury and a setback in his recovery that ended his season at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 25-year-old is expected to be out for several months after suffering the injury against Sunderland, but is expected to return before the 2026 World Cup.

However, the club later reported that the midfielder had setbacks during rehabilitation that may require surgery, which made his participation in the 2026 World Cup doubtful at the time.

His absence leaves Ghana without its main attacking midfielder and one of its most influential players in the last four years.

Mohammed Salisu is also absent from the squad. The AS Monaco center-back suffered an ACL injury during a league match against Olympique Lyon in January 2026. Ghana team doctor, dr. Prince Pambo, confirmed earlier this year that his nine-month recovery period made him unable to participate in the tournament.

"Mohammed Salisu will miss the 2026 World Cup. His knee injury will take nine months to recover," said Dr. Pambo to Asempa FM.

However, Queiroz welcomed back several players who have recovered from long-term injuries. Olympique Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah is back for the first time in almost a year after recovering from an ACL injury that kept him out for more than 12 months.

Former Chelsea left-back Baba Abdul Rahman has also been recalled for the first time since September 2023 after a strong season with Greek club PAOK, where he made 35 appearances with three goals and three assists in all competitions.

Rayo Vallecano defender Abdul Mumin also returned after recovering from an ACL injury. Meanwhile, Rennes defender Alidu Seidu and Saint-Étienne midfielder Augustine Boakye also returned after a season marred by injuries in Europe.

Ajax youngster Paul Reverson has received his first call-up to the senior team after impressing with the Dutch club's youth side.

Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, who missed Ghana's recent national team matches due to injury and fitness issues earlier in the season, returns to the squad led by captain Jordan Ayew and Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

Ghana will open their Group L campaign against Panama in Toronto before facing England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.

The Black Stars began training on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Dragon Park, Cardiff.

Ghana's squad at the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers: Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick's Athletic), Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak), Paul Reverson (Ajax)

Defenders: Baba Abdul Rahman (PAOK), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alidu Seidu (Rennes), Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jonas Adjetey (Wolfsburg), Kojo Oppong Peprah (Nice), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo), Augustine Boakye (Saint-Étienne), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)

Attackers: Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atlanta), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Ernest Nuamah (Lyon), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Prince Kwabena Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)