Ghana defender Gideon Mensah says the national team is determined to demonstrate their preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they take on Wales in an international friendly on June 2 in Cardiff.
The team, currently in camp in Wales as part of its final phase of preparations, will also face Jamaica in another warm-up fixture as they fine-tune their squad ahead of the global tournament.
Mensah, who plays at left-back, stressed that the upcoming matches offer an important opportunity for the squad to measure their level against strong international opposition.
“The expectation is very clear for me as a player, and then we as a team, we are working towards a very crucial tournament for us, for the country and for ourselves as players,” Mensah told the Ghana FA website.
“So, I mean, we are expecting that we go into the game, show to the Ghanaians and show to ourselves that we are ready to go and compete with whoever comes against us in the World Cup,” he added.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to name his final 26-man squad before the Wales encounter, as Ghana sharpens its plans for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ghana have been drawn in Group L, where they will face Panama, England and Croatia.
Their campaign begins on June 17 against Panama at BMO Field, before meetings with England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium and Croatia on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.
Ghana, twice eliminated at the group stage in 2014 and 2022, are aiming to break a decade-long wait for a return to the knockout rounds.
