Black Stars winger Joseph Paintsil has called on newly appointed head coach Carlos Queiroz to select the strongest possible squad as Ghana prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ghana will feature at the global tournament for the fifth time, having secured qualification despite recent turbulence in the national team setup. Queiroz, the former Egypt and Iran coach, has taken over on a short-term deal after Otto Addo’s departure.
Addo, 50, was relieved of his duties following Ghana’s back-to-back pre-World Cup friendly defeats against Austria and Germany last month.
Paintsil, who missed Ghana’s 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, stressed his commitment to the national team and urged unity ahead of the tournament.
“I always need to respect the call-up of the national team. I’m playing for the people of Ghana, not for an individual person,” the LA Galaxy star told VamosNetwork.
“I’m always going to represent my country. I’m just doing it for Ghanaians to know my worth and to know that I can also deliver whenever I get the chance.”
“We are just hoping and praying that the new coach will do the needful to take the best players to the World Cup to perform and to make Ghanaians proud,” Paintsil added.
Queiroz is expected to officially begin work next month, with Ghana scheduled to play Mexico national football team in a warm-up match before facing Wales national football team on June 2 in their final preparatory game.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L and will open their World Cup campaign against Panama national football team on June 17, before facing England national football team on June 23 and Croatia national football team on June 27.
Ghana, twice quarter-finalists at the tournament, will be aiming to avoid early exits suffered in 2014 and 2022, with Queiroz tasked with restoring stability and guiding the team to a stronger showing on football’s biggest stage.
