Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has left experienced forward Andre Ayew out of his squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Austria and Germany, according to reports.
The 36-year-old, who returned to competitive action after a six-month break following his departure from French side Le Havre, recently joined Dutch club NAC Breda team.
His last appearance for Ghana came at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where the Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage.
Despite public appeals for his recall, Addo and his technical staff have chosen to omit him, with the final squad set to be announced later this week.
Ghana will face Austria at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium on Friday, March 27, 2026, with kickoff at 17:00 GMT, before traveling to Germany to meet the 2014 World Cup champions in Stuttgart on Monday, March 30.
These friendlies form part of the Black Stars’ build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Additional warm-up matches are scheduled against Mexico in May and Wales on June 2.
Drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, Ghana will open their tournament against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and wrap up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
After group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars are aiming for a stronger campaign in North America.
