Ghana is heading into their fifth FIFA World Cup tournament with just 20 per cent of players who appeared for last edition of the tournament making the final squad. After securing qualification, fired their trainer Otto Addo following back to back defeats to Austria and Germany in March, 2026.
As they take on Panama on Wednesday, in Toronto, Canada their bench will have Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz who replaced Otto Ad do in mid-April.
Speaking in an interview, former Ghana Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has cast doubt over the Black Stars’ chances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According, to him, he is unconvinced by the current squad’s readiness for the tournament especially with changes made to the technical team.
With expectations high, that Ghana will finally progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010, the former law-maker has no confidence in the team.
Vanderpuye believes the team lacks the stability and cohesion needed to compete at the highest level.
“I’m not 100% confident in our team; I’m not. I am a Ghanaian, but I’m confident in them,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.
He compared the current setup unfavourably with previous Ghana squads, pointing to inconsistency and frequent changes within the technical structure as key concerns.
“The confidence I had in the team that went to the 2006 World Cup, 2010 and even 2014 World Cup, it’s not the same as now due to the fact that this team has not been a consistent team”
“There’s been too many mix-ups in this team, and worst of all, look at the change in the timing in the change of the technical department, and unfortunately, we are looking at a team that is training under this coach for just about a month,” Vanderpuye added.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group match comes against Croatia on June 27.
As they take on Panama on Wednesday, in Toronto, Canada their bench will have Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz who replaced Otto Ad do in mid-April.
Speaking in an interview, former Ghana Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has cast doubt over the Black Stars’ chances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According, to him, he is unconvinced by the current squad’s readiness for the tournament especially with changes made to the technical team.
With expectations high, that Ghana will finally progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010, the former law-maker has no confidence in the team.
Vanderpuye believes the team lacks the stability and cohesion needed to compete at the highest level.
“I’m not 100% confident in our team; I’m not. I am a Ghanaian, but I’m confident in them,” he told Accra-based Citi FM.
He compared the current setup unfavourably with previous Ghana squads, pointing to inconsistency and frequent changes within the technical structure as key concerns.
“The confidence I had in the team that went to the 2006 World Cup, 2010 and even 2014 World Cup, it’s not the same as now due to the fact that this team has not been a consistent team”
“There’s been too many mix-ups in this team, and worst of all, look at the change in the timing in the change of the technical department, and unfortunately, we are looking at a team that is training under this coach for just about a month,” Vanderpuye added.
Ghana will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group match comes against Croatia on June 27.
