West African Football Academy (WAFA) General Manager George Ofosuhene has cast doubt on Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing the need for stronger youth development. “I do not believe Ghana will qualify for the World Cup,” he stated. “If we want the Black Stars at the top, we need to start from U-17.”
Ofosuhene’s concerns come amidst a period of disappointing performances for Ghanaian football. The Black Stars failed to advance beyond the group stage in both the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Adding to these setbacks, Ghana also failed to qualify for AFCON 2025. Ofosuhene believes these struggles highlight the inconsistent efforts to nurture young talent and emphasize that a solid foundation at the youth level is essential for the long-term success of the senior national team.
Despite these recent disappointments, the Black Stars currently sit second in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers with nine points, tied with Comoros, who lead the group, also with nine points, after four games.
Ghana’s qualifying campaign resumes in March with a home game against Chad, followed by an away match against Madagascar. They will then face Chad away and host Mali in September. The final qualifying matches will see Ghana hosting the Central African Republic and traveling to Comoros.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be a landmark event—the first time three nations have co-hosted. Running from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the tournament will feature an expanded format with 48 teams competing across various host cities.
With World Cup qualification on the line, and given Ghana’s recent struggles, the call for improved youth development may prove crucial for their hopes of returning to the global stage.
