Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has revealed that Ghana’s goalkeeping department is the most likely area to be affected when the Black Stars’ provisional 28-man squad is trimmed to the final 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz named five goalkeepers in his provisional squad for the tournament: Benjamin Asare, Solomon Agbasi, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang, and Paul Reverson. With FIFA regulations typically allowing teams to carry only three goalkeepers to major tournaments, at least two shot-stoppers are expected to miss out on the final squad.
Speaking in an interview with TV3, Adams explained that Ghana’s upcoming international friendly against Wales, as well as the team’s training camp in Cardiff, will provide Queiroz with a final opportunity to assess his options before making his decision.
“He has a friendly on June 2 against Wales, and he wants to use the training period to observe a number of them and maybe give some of them the opportunity to play. He would then use that to conclude,” Adams said.
The Sports Minister believes the goalkeeping unit is almost certain to experience the biggest reduction in numbers.
“Basically, I know it is the goalkeeping unit that is going to suffer the most. If you look at each department and two people are going to be dropped, the goalkeeping unit will surely suffer the most,” he stated.
Adams noted that the presence of five goalkeepers in the provisional squad makes that department the most obvious target for cuts.
“Normally, if you look at the number of goalkeepers that are sent to tournaments, and in the 28-man call-up he already has five goalkeepers, it means you will not be taking five goalkeepers to the tournament. So the cut is likely to come from there more,” he added.
The Minister further suggested that some sections of the squad could remain intact as Queiroz finalises his selections.
“Some departments will not suffer any cut at all. Because the goalkeeping, defence, midfield, and forward lines are the departments that you have, but goalkeeping will surely take a cut,” Adams concluded.
The Black Stars are currently in Wales for the final phase of their pre-World Cup preparations. The friendly encounter against Wales is expected to play a crucial role in determining the final makeup of Ghana’s squad before Queiroz announces his definitive 26-man list for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
