World Cup 2026: Marcel Desailly backs Ghana as potential surprise

French football legend Marcel Desailly has expressed hope that Ghana can emerge as one of the surprise packages at the World Cup, insisting the Black Stars have the ingredients to exceed expectations under Carlos Queiroz.

The former France captain, born in Accra, said African teams must manage internal dynamics effectively if they are to compete consistently on the global stage, pointing to squad hierarchy and player selection as recurring challenges.

Desailly believes Queiroz’s experience in international football could help Ghana address those issues at a crucial moment, particularly given the pressure surrounding the team after their recent struggles in continental competition.

Ghana’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations has heightened scrutiny, but Desailly suggested a reset under Queiroz could restore confidence and structure ahead of the tournament.

“There are some very good players who are first choice in the Premier League and in other leagues," he told Flashscore. "So I am hoping that Ghana will be with Morocco, with Senegal, and the Ivory Coast as the surprises of this World Cup. We have 10 African teams at the World Cup.

“So Ghana could be one of the surprises if they start very well with the confidence and a good philosophy from Queiroz, and kill all the things that I’ve said before: the egos and the older player problems, those who are in the system that sometimes delay the development of others.”

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L, opening their campaign against Panama in Toronto before facing England in Foxborough and finishing against Croatia in Philadelphia.