Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has taken a decisive step in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup build-up, formally calling for further reinforcement of the national team’s technical setup as preparations gather momentum.
With the expanded World Cup set for the summer of 2026, Ghana are bracing themselves for a stern test on the global stage. Drawn into a formidable Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, the Black Stars face a challenging route as they aim to make a lasting impression at their fifth Mundial appearance.
Addo, determined to leave no stone unturned, believes success at football’s grandest tournament will depend not only on talent on the pitch but also on depth, expertise and cohesion behind the scenes.
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While the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has already strengthened the technical department with the recruitment of seasoned German tactician Winfried Schäfer, alongside Desmond Ofei and Gregory De Grauwe, the head coach feels the current structure can be taken a step further.
The request has now been officially lodged with the GFA, a move that underlines Addo’s intent to equip the Black Stars with elite-level support capable of matching the demands of top-tier international football.
Confirming the development, GFA Director of Communication Henry Asante Twum disclosed that the head coach has made his position clear.
“I am aware that Otto Addo has requested to beef up the Black Stars technical team,” Asante Twum told Sporty FM.
“This is the biggest football tournament and he believes we must go there with the best.”
Ghana’s World Cup journey will begin on June 17 in Toronto against Panama, before a marquee showdown with England in Boston raises the stakes even higher. The group phase concludes with a tough final fixture against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
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Having suffered painful group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars are eager to script a more compelling chapter in 2026.
Beyond structural improvements, preparations on the pitch are also intensifying. The Black Stars are set to measure themselves against elite opposition, with a high-profile international friendly against Germany lined up for March 30 in Stuttgart. Discussions are also ongoing over an additional warm-up match against Austria as Ghana fine-tunes its readiness for the global showpiece.
For Addo and his team, the message is clear: competing with the world’s best requires world-class preparation, and the groundwork for that ambition is already underway.
