Former U.S. international Alexi Lalas has expressed a strong desire for Ghana to be drawn in the same group as the hosts for next year’s World Cup.
The Black Stars will make their fifth appearance at football’s premier tournament after topping their qualifying group with 25 points.
Ahead of the official draw on Friday, December 5, at Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Centre, Lalas, who scored nine goals in 98 appearances for the United States between 1991 and 1998, said he would welcome a matchup with Ghana.
“This isn’t a great Ghana team… Give me Ghana,” he told Fox Sports’ special World Cup preview show.
He added: “This isn’t a great Ghana team, but it is still Ghana. They have plenty of history when it comes to playing against us.”
Ghana has won two of its three World Cup encounters with the U.S., claiming a 2-1 victory in their debut meeting in the 2006 group stage and repeating the feat in the 2010 round of 16, with Asamoah Gyan’s stoppage-time half-volley sealing the win. The United States’ lone triumph came in 2014, a 2-1 group-stage result in Brazil.
The World Cup draw is scheduled for 17:00 GMT. Having exited at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022, Ghana will be hoping for a favorable draw to kickstart their 2026 campaign.
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