Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan says there is growing optimism among Ghanaians ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while cautioning that the team will carry significant expectations when the tournament begins.
Ghana will compete at the global showpiece hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marking their fifth appearance at the tournament. Despite previous disappointments in 2014 and 2022, when the team exited at the group stage, Gyan believes there is renewed belief in the squad’s potential.
“Ghanaians are optimistic, but there is pressure back home,” Gyan, who remains Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer and Africa’s top scorer in World Cup history, said on SuperSport.
The former Sunderland forward expressed confidence in the team’s prospects while wishing African nations well at the tournament.
“Let’s see what happens, but I hope all the African teams will do well, and I wish them well,” he added.
The Black Stars have already arrived in the United States to continue their final phase of preparations, with a friendly against Jamaica scheduled for June 10.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. Their campaign begins on June 17 against Panama at BMO Field, before facing England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium, and concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
Ghana will be aiming to finally break their group-stage barrier, having last reached the knockout rounds during their historic run to the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010.
