Head of Public Relations and Strategy at the Ghana Football Association, Neil Armstrong Mortagbe, has urged Ghanaians to remain calm over the delay in the announcement of the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With anticipation building across the country ahead of Ghana’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament, concerns have grown among supporters eager to know which players will represent the nation in North America.
Speaking to 3Sports, Mortagbe insisted there was no cause for alarm, revealing that FIFA had provided a deadline for participating nations to submit and announce their squads, and that head coach Carlos Queiroz remains fully focused on assembling the strongest possible team.
“There’s a deadline that FIFA have given for the countries to release it. Until that deadline passes, I don’t think there’s anything to be worried about,” Mortagbe said.
“Carlos Queiroz is working, and they are preparing to release a squad that we believe will go out there and defend the honour of Mother Ghana.”
Mortagbe also explained that Ghana’s international friendly against Mexico will play an important role in the final selection process, giving the technical team an opportunity to assess additional options and increase competition within the squad before making its final decisions.
According to him, some of the players called up for the warm-up fixture may not have been familiar names to supporters, but their inclusion serves a strategic purpose as the coaching staff evaluate depth and tactical alternatives ahead of the tournament.
“It’s a preparatory game. I believe there’s a purpose behind the squad selected for that match,” he explained.
“From a fan’s perspective, they may have expected to see more familiar faces. But from the technical team’s point of view, it’s about assessing other options and creating additional competition within the squad that will eventually be announced.”
He added that the coaching staff are expected to be in a better position to unveil the long-awaited World Cup squad following the friendly encounter.
The Black Stars will face Mexico on Saturday in their final preparations before heading to the World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on June 18 before taking on England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27 as they seek to make a strong impact on the global stage.
