Ghana defender Derrick Luckassen has reported to the Black Stars camp ahead of the team’s international friendly against Wales and preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Pafos FC centre-back is expected to step into the squad in place of Alexander Djiku, who is set to miss the tournament due to injury.
Djiku, a key member of Ghana’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, has been sidelined since arriving at camp last week and has not taken part in training sessions.
Luckassen’s inclusion is expected to form part of coach Carlos Queiroz’s final 26-man squad for the global showpiece.
The 30-year-old earned his first senior cap for Ghana in March during a friendly against Germany and has since strengthened his case with an impressive season in Cyprus.
At club level, he was a standout performer for Pafos FC, contributing significantly to both domestic competitions and European matches. He also featured in UEFA Champions League qualifiers, scoring once, underlining his experience at elite level competition.
His consistency, versatility, and leadership across the back line have made him a reliable option for both club and country.
Reports suggest Luckassen is expected to fully link up with the squad in the United States once final squad adjustments are completed.
His arrival is seen as a timely boost to Ghana’s defensive depth ahead of a demanding World Cup campaign.
The Black Stars continue their build-up with a friendly against Wales on Tuesday at the Cardiff City Stadium, before concluding preparations with a clash against Jamaica on June 10.
Ghana will then shift focus to the tournament proper, where they are drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. Their campaign begins on June 17 against Panama at BMO Field, followed by a meeting with England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium, before wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
