Ghana and LA Galaxy winger, Joseph Paintsil has confessed how devastated he was after being left out of coach Otto Addo's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad but knew it's part and he is looking forward to playing at the next edition next year.
The Black Stars failed to make it to the continent's next biggest football competition after finishing at the bottom of Group F with just three points from six matches
The draw for the 2025 AFCON was held last Tuesday in Rabat and the four-time African champions will be missing out for the first time since 2004.
In an interview on JoySports, Paintsil who just turned 27 today, the mercurial wideman was very frank having expressed how disappointed he was for being snubbed prior to the last World Cup but is dreaming to one day have a taste of the Mundial.
”It was strange and I was unhappy, but I always have to accept the decision of the Head Coach.
“There are millions of players who dream of playing for Ghana at the World Cup, but only 23 will make the cut.
“I was disappointed but my job is to keep focused and work hard. There are more World Cups ahead, and my hope is to be part of the squad for the next one if we are able to qualify,” he said.
Ghana currently have three wins and a defeat from their opening four matches and will play Chad and Madagascar in match-day five and six in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March
Joseph Paintsil had a fantastic debut campaign last year with LA Galaxy where he netted 14 goals and provided 8 assists to help them emerge champions of the 2024 MLS Cup.
