By NADIA NTIAMOAH
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, declaring that Ghana must be ready to prove its quality on football’s biggest stage despite widespread doubts about the team’s chances.
The experienced forward believes the skepticism surrounding the Black Stars could serve as extra motivation as Ghana prepares for its fifth appearance at the global tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ayew’s comments come at a crucial moment as the Black Stars enter the final stages of preparation for a World Cup campaign that many observers believe will be one of the toughest in the country’s history.
Ghana has been drawn in a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama, with many football analysts tipping the Black Stars as underdogs in the race for qualification to the knockout stage.
However, the Ghana captain insists the team is embracing the challenge and remains determined to defy expectations.
Speaking to the Ghana Football Association’s media team, Ayew said the players understand the magnitude of the task ahead but are fully prepared to fight for the nation’s pride.
“We have to prove ourselves, and we have to show that we have quality, and we have to be ready for the challenge,” Ayew stated.
“We all know it’s going to be difficult, but we are ready. Obviously, I know people don’t think that we will do well, so that is good.”
His comments reflect a growing determination within the camp as the Black Stars seek to restore their reputation after disappointing group-stage exits at both the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The greatest World Cup achievement remains the historic quarter-final run in South Africa in 2010, when the Black Stars came within a penalty shootout of becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Since then, however, the national team has struggled to replicate that success, making the upcoming tournament a major opportunity for redemption.
The Black Stars recently tested their readiness with a 1-1 draw against Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium. Although Ghana surrendered victory in stoppage time after taking the lead through Caleb Yirenkyi, the performance provided several positives for head coach Carlos Queiroz and his technical team.
The squad has since moved to North America to continue preparations ahead of the tournament.
Ghana will begin its World Cup journey against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto before facing European giants England at Gillette Stadium on June 23.
The group phase concludes with a potentially decisive encounter against 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up Croatia on June 27.
