Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has declared his ambition to lead Ghana beyond the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as he seeks to guide the four-time African champions to their best finish in over a decade.
The tournament, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offers Ghana another chance to reaffirm its place among world football’s elite.
Having already masterminded the Black Stars’ qualification for both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, Addo is determined to improve upon the 2022 campaign, where Ghana exited at the group stage despite showing flashes of brilliance.
Speaking to 3Sports, the former Borussia Dortmund player expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to go further this time.
“I want to overcome the group stage, but then, from there, it’s difficult to predict,” Addo said. “It’s very, very important that we believe in ourselves, keep the flexibility we already have, and ensure the players understand what we want to do. This style of play, in the long term, will give us a lot of chances to go far in that World Cup.”
Addo’s vision reflects a balance of ambition and tactical discipline, grounded in teamwork, belief, and adaptability. His achievement of becoming the first Ghanaian coach to qualify the nation for two consecutive World Cups has already cemented his legacy — but he’s hungry for more.
For Ghanaian fans, the memories of 2010 still burn bright. That year, the Black Stars reached the quarterfinals, coming agonisingly close to becoming Africa’s first-ever semifinalists. But the dream ended in heartbreak at Soccer City, Johannesburg, when Luis Suárez’s handball and Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty denied them a place in history.
“2010 we went all the way to the quarterfinals. And I believe this squad can even do more than that,” said Mohammed Kudus in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.
Fifteen years on, Ghana now stands on the brink of another opportunity — a chance to rewrite history. Addo’s message is clear: the weight of the past should be motivation, not a burden.
As preparations intensify ahead of 2026, the Black Stars’ roadmap is defined by belief, structure, and resilience. And if Addo’s men can maintain their momentum and mental strength, Ghana might just be ready to turn that haunting 2010 memory into redemption — and make a historic run once again.
