2026 World Cup: Otto Addo Unveils Black Stars Squad for Chad and Mali Qualifiers; Partey and Kamaldeen Make Comeback

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has announced a 25-man squad for Ghana’s upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Chad and Mali.

The squad sees the return of Thomas Partey and Kamal Deen Sulemana, featuring three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards.

In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen) leads the trio, joined by Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic) and Benjamin Asare from Accra Hearts of Oak.

The defensive lineup includes Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Derrick Arthur Köhn (Union Berlin), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Başakşehir), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahçe), Jonas Adjetey (FC Basel), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion), and Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland).

Midfielders comprise Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Osman (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Atalanta BC), Abdul Salis Samed (OGC Nice), and vice-captain Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF).

Star player Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur) also makes a return following a strong start in the Premier League.

In the attacking department, Otto Addo has called up Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Jerry Afriyie (RAAL La Louvière), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah), and the in-form Jordan Ayew.

The Black Stars are set to face Chad on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique in N’Djamena, before hosting Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Coach Otto Addo will rely on his players to secure vital wins as Ghana aims for qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.