Former Ghana international Nii Odartey Lamptey has cautioned the Black Stars to take valuable lessons from their failed 2022 World Cup campaign as they gear up for the 2026 edition in North America.
In an interview with Footy-Africa, the ex-Aston Villa and Anderlecht forward applauded Ghana’s qualification but stressed that securing a ticket is only the first step. The real challenge, he said, lies in how well the team prepares and manages itself ahead of the global showpiece.
Kofi Adams backs Black Stars to make history at 2026 World Cup
Ghana sealed their spot at next year’s tournament after a decisive 1–0 victory over the Comoros in Accra, topping their qualification group with 25 points from 10 matches. Despite the achievement, Lamptey has called for a sober reflection on the mistakes that cost the Black Stars in Qatar three years ago.
“Our last World Cup was not that good. So once we have qualified, we have to sit down and make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes we made in Qatar,” Lamptey said.
The Black Stars exited the 2022 tournament at the group stage after defeats to Portugal and Uruguay and a single win over South Korea. Lamptey insists that Ghana has enough talent to go further this time—but only if the right systems and planning are in place.
“Without a doubt, there is quality in the team, so it means we have to do our homework well. Administrative issues should be sorted. If we go to the World Cup with a sound mind, we can perform,” he added.
‘It hasn’t always been smooth’: Seidu on the road to 2026 World Cup
Lamptey also cautioned against overconfidence, noting that the qualifying campaign did not fully expose the team’s weaknesses.
“We were not under pressure in most of the qualifiers we played, so it’s difficult to pinpoint areas we need to improve on. I believe the preparatory games will help. We need top games that can expose the deficiencies in our team,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup, to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be Ghana’s fifth appearance on the global stage.
The Black Stars made history in their first two appearances, reaching the Round of 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals in 2010, a feat Lamptey hopes the team can at least match, if not surpass, with better planning and unity this time around.
