The former West Ham United defender believes the West African nation will excel at the next year’s FIFA World Cup
Ghana deputy coach John Painstil is optimistic the Black Stars will make a great impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after knowing their group-stage opponents.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside 1966 champions England, Croatia and Panama for next summer’s tournament — a group Paintsil considers favourable as the team looks to improve on back-to-back group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.
Painstil in an interview said the draw offers the team a perfect opportunity to make a bold statement at the global showpiece.
“It was a long wait. Everyone is happy now; myself, I am happy for the group that we find ourselves in. It is a very good group — a group that will bring the best out of the team and the entire country,” Painstil told Sahara Football
“We are going to be where we will have more supporters coming to support the team, and that is the most important thing.”
“I believe we can dominate this tournament,” he added.
Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on 17 June, then face England on 23 June, before rounding off the group stage against Croatia on 27 June, as they aim to reach the knockout phase for the first time since 2010.
Ghana is making its fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, having featured at the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022 editions.
