2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Tariq, Seidu and 10 others miss out on Black Stars squad

Notable Absentees

1. Tariq Lamptey (Brighton & Hove Albion)

The energetic full-back has been ruled out due to ongoing injury concerns. Despite his efforts to recover, Lamptey remains unavailable for Ghana’s upcoming qualifiers.

2. Alidu Seidu (Stade Rennes)

The young defender suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) late last year, undergoing surgery that has sidelined him for several months. His recovery timeline makes him unavailable for the current squad selection.

3. Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy)

A recent quad injury has forced the winger out of contention. His pace and creativity will be missed as the Black Stars seek to solidify their attacking options.

4. Abdul Mumin (Rayo Vallecano)

The center-back sustained a muscle injury that will keep him out for the qualifiers. His absence leaves a gap in Ghana’s defensive line.

5. Daniel Kofi Kyereh (SC Freiburg)

Still regaining full fitness following a long-term ACL injury, Kyereh has been deemed unfit to participate in the upcoming fixtures.

6. Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo)

A series of injuries, including an Achilles tendon rupture, have plagued the experienced defender. His absence further weakens Ghana’s defensive depth.

7. Elisha Owusu (AJ Auxerre)

The defensive midfielder has been omitted due to a lack of match fitness after a recent injury layoff.

8. Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer (Hamburg SV)

Despite featuring prominently for his club, Königsdörffer has not been included in the squad, with no official reason given.

9. Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)

Although impressing in club football, the young winger has surprisingly been left out of the selection.

10. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

A late injury forced Semenyo out of contention, leaving Ghana short of attacking firepower.

11. Kamaldeen Sulemana (Southampton)

Having struggled with fitness issues in recent weeks, Sulemana has been omitted from the squad.

12. Andre Ayew (Le Havre AC)

The veteran captain has been excluded, hinting at a possible transition phase in Ghana’s squad selection.

Impact on the Black Stars

The omission of these players poses significant challenges for Otto Addo and his technical team. With key defenders, midfielders, and attackers unavailable, Ghana will have to rely on squad depth and emerging talents.

New faces, such as Brandon Thomas-Asante from West Bromwich Albion, have been given the opportunity to step up in the absence of seasoned players. Fans will be eager to see how the restructured Black Stars perform as they take on Mali on June 6 and the Central African Republic on June 10.

Final Thoughts

As Ghana embarks on its journey to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, the team must adapt quickly to the challenges posed by these notable absences. The upcoming qualifiers will serve as a crucial test of the Black Stars’ resilience and depth as they strive for World Cup qualification.