Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has expressed hope that the Black Stars will advance beyond the group stage at the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana, four-time African champions, missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco but secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L, where they will face Panama, England, and Croatia.
With less than five months remaining before the tournament, Kingston expressed concern over the number of injuries affecting key Ghanaian players. However, he believes the team can progress if coach Otto Addo manages to restore the squad to full fitness.
“For me, I don’t really expect anything more than for us to go through the group stage. I’ll be happy for us to go through the group stage, but my worry is that some of the players have picked up injuries. If Otto Addo gets these trusted players fit, then we can do something,” he told Sporty FM.
“Otto Addo has been with these players for some time, and I am told that they now understand themselves, so he should be comfortable with the players as well,” Kingston added.
Several prominent players, including Mohammed Salisu, Mohammed Kudus, Tariq Lamptey, Francis Abu, and Abdul Mumin, are currently sidelined with injuries.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before facing England in Boston, and concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
The Black Stars have previously exited at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, and are now determined to make a stronger impression on football’s biggest stage.
