Former Ghana international Charles Taylor has raised serious concerns about the Black Stars’ preparedness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing uncertainty over the team’s prospects on the global stage despite recent changes behind the scenes.
Ghana, four-time African champions, are set to feature at the Mundial to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, Taylor believes the optimism surrounding the team is premature, arguing that structural issues remain unresolved, particularly regarding the technical leadership of the squad.
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The Ghana Football Association has recently reinforced the backroom staff, bringing in Alain Ravera and Kim Lars Bjorkegren as assistant coaches, Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso as scout and video analyst, Carlos Lozano Romero as team physiotherapist, and Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi as performance coach.
While the expanded technical team is expected to strengthen preparations, Taylor is unconvinced that these changes address the core problems facing the national side.
“Who is our coach going to the World Cup? I believe we need an experienced coach,” he told Sporty FM. “Some of our players are not even in good shape at the moment. I am not sure of our chances because people are saying we will beat Panama, which I find strange.”
“We are not doing well at the moment, and it is my concern. We have spent money to bring new people to join the technical team. Why didn’t we spend that money on hiring an experienced coach?” he added.
Ghana have been drawn into Group L and will begin their World Cup journey against Panama on June 17, 2026. They will then face England on June 23 before wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
The trio of fixtures is expected to provide a stern test of the Black Stars’ ambitions at the tournament.
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As part of their build-up to the competition, Otto Addo and his squad are scheduled to regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria and Germany. The matches are intended to serve as key preparatory tests ahead of the World Cup, offering the technical team a clearer picture of the squad’s readiness and areas that still require improvement.
