Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged Ghana to place total focus on their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama, cautioning against being distracted by more glamorous group opponents.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Agyemang-Badu stressed that the Black Stars must adopt the right mindset from the outset if they are to achieve their ambitions.
“The Panama match will be difficult, and that’s where our full concentration should be—not on England or Croatia,” he said, underlining the importance of making a strong start.
While acknowledging that Ghana’s ultimate objective is to progress from the group stage, Agyemang-Badu emphasized that success hinges on a disciplined and focused approach to the opening fixture. According to him, the first game will set the tone for the entire campaign.
The former Udinese midfielder also weighed in on squad selection, insisting that only fully fit players should be named for the tournament, given the physical demands of competing across three host nations.
His comments reflect a pragmatic approach to the World Cup, presenting the clash with Panama not merely as the opening match, but as a defining moment that could shape Ghana’s entire journey at the global showpiece.
