Mexico test awaits Ghana's World Cup hopefuls in Puebla

Ghana's road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with an international friendly against Mexico at the Estadio Cuauhtemoc in Puebla on Friday night.

The match, which kicks off at 2:00 a.m. Ghana time on Saturday will provide a valuable opportunity for several players to stake their claim for a place in the Black Stars' World Cup squad.

The Black Stars travel to Mexico without many of their established stars, with the squad largely made up of locally based players, U-23 prospects and players hoping to force their way into the final squad.

However, Ghana will also be without newly appointed coach Carlos Queiroz, who is unavailable due to personal reasons. Assistant coach Desmond Ofei will lead the team from the touchline for the friendly.

The match could offer opportunities for players such as Jerry Afriyie, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson and Benjamin Asare to impress as competition for places intensifies.

There is also the prospect of a Black Stars debut for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi after the winger switched international allegiance from England to Ghana.

For Ofei and the technical team, the friendly will provide a valuable assessment of players outside the team's established core ahead of the World Cup.

Mexico enter the game with the advantage of playing at home and having spent more time together in camp. El Tri have been preparing for several weeks and are expected to field a strong side as they continue their own build-up to the tournament.

The hosts defeated Ghana in the teams' most recent meeting in 2023 and will be looking to maintain their strong home record.

While the result will be important, Ghana's main focus will be evaluating players and building momentum ahead of the World Cup, where the Black Stars have been drawn alongside England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.

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