2026 World Cup: Ex-GFA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi urges Ghanaians to rally behind Black Stars

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has urged Ghanaians to throw their full support behind the Black Stars as the national team prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana will make its fifth appearance at the global showpiece this summer, having been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

Despite concerns over the team's recent performances, Nyantakyi remains optimistic about the Black Stars' prospects and believes they are capable of defying expectations.

The former GFA boss, who oversaw Ghana's historic run to the quarter-finals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, called on football fans and the nation at large to stand firmly behind the team.

“As I told somebody yesterday, never write off any Ghana team,” Mr Nyantakyi told the Daily Graphic.

“The time that you have little faith in them is when they spring surprises. Let us rally behind them, and I think they can do well," he added.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars have already opened camp as preparations intensify ahead of the tournament.

As part of their build-up, Ghana will face Wales in an international friendly on June 2 at the Cardiff City Stadium to assess their readiness before the Mundial.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz is also expected to announce his final 26-man squad for the tournament before the friendly encounter.

Ghana will begin their Group L campaign against Panama at BMO Field on June 17 before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. The Black Stars will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.

Having suffered back-to-back group-stage exits at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups in Brazil and Qatar, respectively, the four-time African champions will be aiming to return to the knockout stages for the first time in more than a decade.