2026 World Cup: Asamoah Gyan highlights confidence and pressure on Black Stars

Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan says there is growing optimism in Ghana ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while acknowledging the weight of expectation on the national team.

The tournament, set to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, will mark Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s global showpiece. Despite back-to-back group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022, Gyan believes supporters remain hopeful of a stronger showing this time.

“Ghanaians are optimistic, but there is pressure back home,” Gyan, who remains Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer and Africa’s top goal scorer in the World Cup, said on SuperSport.

The former Sunderland forward, who remains Ghana’s all-time leading scorer and Africa’s highest scorer in World Cup history, expressed confidence in the team’s prospects while wishing African nations well at the tournament.

“Let’s see what happens, but I hope all the African teams will do well, and I wish them well,” he added.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for the Black Stars, who are currently in the United States ahead of their final pre-tournament friendly against Jamaica on June 10.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. They will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium and wrapping up their group matches against Croatia on June 27.

The Black Stars will be targeting a return to the knockout stages for the first time since their historic quarter-final run at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.