Carlos Queiroz watches from VIP as home-based players push for World Cup chance

Carlos Queiroz watched proceedings from the VIP section of the Accra Sports Stadium as Ghana’s locally based players went through their drills.

The Black Galaxies trained with intensity on Friday, sharpening up for friendly matches against Heart of Lions and Aduana FC. For Queiroz, newly appointed and already tasked with shaping a competitive squad, the session offered an early look at a largely untapped pool.

Nearby, Kurt Okraku observed proceedings as well, reinforcing the growing alignment between the Ghana FA and the technical direction of the national teams.

For years, one of the persistent criticisms of the Black Stars has been the limited opportunities given to home-based players. That concern remains. In recent times, only Benjamin Asare has established himself, rising to become Ghana’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Beyond him, the pathway has been less certain.

Yet, with the 2026 World Cup approaching, the conversation is shifting. There is increasing belief that the domestic league can produce outfield players capable of stepping up, if given the platform.

That is where sessions like this carry added weight.

The Black Galaxies’ preparations are not just about upcoming friendlies. The team is expected to feature in an international friendly against Mexico on 22 May, a fixture that could serve as an opportunity for players seeking to break into the senior setup.

It also reflects a broader approach, blending exposure with evaluation, as the technical team weighs options ahead of a demanding international calendar.

At the last World Cup in Qatar, only two locally based players made Ghana’s final squad, with their clubs benefiting from FIFA’s compensation programme.

This time, expectations are higher.

There is a growing sense that one or two more could join Asare in the final group if performances justify selection. For many within the domestic scene, that possibility is both motivation and opportunity.

For Queiroz, the process has started, and it is one that may increasingly turn attention to players closer to home.

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