Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has urged the Ghana national football team to aim higher than mere participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the team should target progressing beyond the group stage.
The four-time African champions will compete in this summer’s tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and have been drawn in Group L alongside the Panama national football team, England national football team and Croatia national football team.
Kingston, who missed both the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, emphasised that Ghana commands significant respect on the continent and should approach the Mundial with ambition.
“My expectations are simple. Ghana has a lot of respect in Africa — our mindset is not to just go and participate,” the Uganda junior national team coach told Graphic Sports.
“We are expected to go out there and do well, and I believe we will at least make it out of the group,” he added.
The Black Stars will kick off their campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
As part of their preparations, Ghana will regroup in March for international friendlies against the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team, followed by a final warm-up match against the Mexico national football team in May. The team will be based at Bryant University in the United States for the duration of the tournament.
After group-stage exits at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Black Stars will be hoping to deliver a stronger performance in North America.
