Former Black Stars striker Abdul Majeed Waris has emphasised the need for thorough preparation if Ghana is to make a strong impact at the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana, drawn in Group L, will face Panama, England, and Croatia in next year’s tournament, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Waris, who previously featured for FC Porto and Nantes, stressed that the team must prioritise collective success over individual ambitions to thrive on the world stage.
“Football has changed a lot. At first, it was about individual skills, but now it’s more about the team’s skills,” Waris said.
“Football is all about preparation, getting ready for what is ahead of you, and you can win any game. So I think we have to prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually because this is the biggest competition in the world and everybody is going to be watching them.
“They must know that they are not going just to play a football match; they are going to represent the whole of Ghana, and everybody will be cheering them on,” added Waris, who played at the 2014 World Cup.
Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England in Boston on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
The 2026 tournament will mark Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, following campaigns in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. Their deepest run came in 2010 in South Africa, when the Black Stars reached the quarter-finals.
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