The 33-year-old, who was in Wales with club teammate Solomon Agbasi, made the cut ahead of his colleague, and remains the likely first-choice goalkeeper.

Asare joins Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Anang as Ghana's three shot-stoppers for the World Cup.

The former Great Olympics number one played a pivotal role in Ghana's World Cup qualification, featuring in six matches and conceding only once.

He is expected to start ahead of Ati-Zigi, who was the first-choice at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars will continue preparations for the World Cup with a friendly against Wales on Tuesday in Cardiff.

The team will also engage Jamaica in a final preparatory game before the World Cup begins on Jun 11 in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside 1966 winners England, 2018 runners-up Croatia and Central Americans Panama.

Below is the full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang

DEFENDERS: Derrick Luckassen, Abdul Mumin, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Alidu Seidu, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Jerome Opoku, Marvin Senaya

MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Elisha Owusu, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye

ATTACKERS: Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Prince Adu Kwabena, Ernest Nuamah, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Brandon Thomas-Asante

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Cyprus-based defender Derrick Luckassen is the latest addition to the Black Stars squad following the announcement of the team for the 2026 World Cup in North America, replacing injured Alexander Djiku.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz announced his 26-man squad on Monday evening, with the team made up of a blend of experience and youthful exuberance.

The Portuguese trainer included youngsters Marvin Senaya, Caleb Yirenkyi and Christopher Bonsu Baah in his team alongside veterans Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey.

Ayew, the captain of the side, will be making his third World Cup appearance while several players in the team, including Fatawu Issahaku and Antoine Semenyo will be going for their second tournament.

🫶🏾 26 Men. One Mission! 🇬🇭🏆

👤 Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has named Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico. 🌍

🗓️ The campaign begins on 17 June against Panama in Toronto, followed by a clash with England in Boston on 23 June and Croatia in… pic.twitter.com/qLCpZwuGxn

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 1, 2026

Meanwhile, goalkeepers Paul Reverson and Solomon Agbasi were dropped after a week of camping with the Black Stars in Wales.

The Black Stars will face Wales on Tuesday, June 2, as part of preparations to the tournament before flying to Boston for the World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Below is the full squad:

GOALKEEPERS: Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Joseph Anang

DEFENDERS: Derrick Luckassen, Abdul Mumin, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Alidu Seidu, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Jerome Opoku, Marvin Senaya

MIDFIELDERS: Thomas Partey, Kwasi Sibo, Elisha Owusu, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye

ATTACKERS: Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Prince Adu Kwabena, Ernest Nuamah, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Brandon Thomas-Asante

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The 32-year-old made the final 26-man squad released by coach Julen Lopetegui on Monday, June 1, 2026, following a brief camping in Ireland.

Muntari and his teammates left for the United States on Sunday, May 31, 2026, to continue preparations ahead of the competition which begins in ten days time.

The Al Gharafa forward has been a key figure for Qatar since switching nationalities to represent the Asian nation. He scored Qatar's only goal at the World Cup four years ago when they hosted the tournament.

The former Al Duhail star has already made 70 appearances for Qatar, scoring 16 goals for the national team.

Meanwhile, Qatar's preparation towards the tournament saw them engage Ireland, losing 1-0 to the Europeans.

Qatar will round up preparations with a final friendly against El Salvador in California, USA, before they begin their World Cup with a game against Switzerland in Group B on June 13. The Asians will then face Canada and Bosnia in their remaining group games.

Below is the full squad:

For the badge. For the flag. For Qatar.

The official squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has been announced.????#AlAnnabi#AllForQatar ????????#FIFAWorldCup ???? pic.twitter.com/N21sJPSzxp

— Qatar Football Association (@QFA_EN) June 1, 2026

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The Portuguese trainer believes his players are fully committed to representing the country and delivering a positive performance in their first official assignment under his leadership.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash, Queiroz shared a simple message for Ghanaians and explained what he expects from his squad.

"We want to express ourselves in the game tomorrow. It's the best of our skills, effort, and commitment. As I said, the message is simple. We want to play great football; we want to play to win. We want to bring pride and happiness to the fans. That's the only thing that I'm sure all players have in mind," he said.

"And the message, it is a message of hope and confidence that, being with them not for so many months but with the training sessions that I did with them, all of them are fully committed to deliver for the national team. So, I'm very much confident that the message will be positive tomorrow."

The Black Stars will face Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, June 2, as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Speaking ahead of Ghana’s international friendly against Wales, the experienced trainer explained that the country’s love for the sport, combined with its wealth of talent, creates the right environment for success.

Queiroz also shared a light-hearted moment about one of his favourite discoveries in Ghana before turning his attention to football.

"The thing that surprised me the most was the avocado. I ate so much of the avocado. Because it is the first time I see avocado sweets. But on a serious note, it is the passion," he said.

"The passion of the game. So, for me it is a good feeling because there are two things that are an explosive combination to succeed in football.

"First one is when you have the privilege to have such beautiful talented players. And the second is when the people have passion for the game. And Ghana has these two elements."

The Black Stars will face Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has outlined his approach to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing the importance of focusing on one game at a time rather than setting long-term targets.

Speaking ahead of Ghana's international friendly against Wales, the experienced trainer explained that both he and his players are concentrating on each match as it comes.

"Look, I don't want to speculate with those standards, those goals. I want to say one thing that in my life it is always simple. I play one game each time. My players, they want to play one game each time and win another time and win another time," he said.

"If we are able to reach the Cup, we are going to be full of joy and full of happiness. But the success is to go there and be sure that when we finish our journey, the pride and the honour and the prestige of the country, the reputation of the country will be higher than ever. Higher than ever.

"And only the people can judge that. Of course, I don't want you to judge me for my personal qualities. I am here for you to judge me by my results. And that's what I want to try to bring for the team,"

Ghana will face Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on June 2 as part of preparations for the World Cup.

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Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has admitted that pressure comes with the job as he prepares his team for Tuesday's international friendly against Wales.

Speaking ahead of the match, the experienced trainer explained that pressure is a normal part of football and helps coaches stay focused and motivated.

"Of course, of course, I am under pressure. If you tell me one coach in the world of football that is not under pressure, that will surprise me. But pressure in our job is what drives us forward to be better every day, to wake up and beat myself. This is what keeps me alert and with full hunger and desire to transfer my feelings to the players and win," he said.

"So, I think the day the game doesn't have pressure, our job finishes. There is no reason for coaches to do that. So, I always say this to you, as you mentioned that thing of pressure. For us, it is part of the job."

Queiroz compared football management to working in a busy kitchen, noting that professionals must learn to handle demanding situations.

The Black Stars will take on Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as part of their preparations for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Cardiff ahead of Ghana's friendly against Wales, Ayew lauded Semenyo's rise since his time at Bournemouth and his subsequent move to Manchester City.

"I mean, he's done brilliantly. We all know the season he has had since he's been at Bournemouth and then Manchester City. Ghanaians are proud of him; the boys, we are proud of him," Ayew said.

The Leicester City forward expressed hope that Semenyo will carry his exceptional club form onto the international stage as Ghana prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"We just hope that he keeps on doing it and do it for Ghana. Once that he is performing and we are all performing as a team, we are happy," he added.

Semenyo has been in scintillating form, playing a key role in Manchester City's domestic campaign and establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most dangerous attackers. For Ayew and the Black Stars, having such a player in top form ahead of the World Cup is a major boost.

Ghana face Wales on June 2 in their final friendly before opening their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17.

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Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has called on Ghanaians to remain patient as the national team begins a new chapter under head coach Carlos Queiroz, insisting that performances have been better than results suggest.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Cardiff ahead of Ghana's friendly against Wales, Ayew acknowledged the team's difficult run before Queiroz's appointment, which included four consecutive defeats.

However, he pointed to encouraging signs, particularly in the friendly against Germany.

"We know we've lost four games, but we need to look at the performances. Some we didn't perform well, some we did well. I always remember the Germany game as an encouraging performance," Ayew said.

He also defended the team's display in the heavy defeat to Austria, arguing that the scoreline was misleading. "For me, Austria was not a 5-1 game, but sometimes that's football."

Ayew praised Queiroz's impact since taking charge, describing the Portuguese tactician as a wonderful manager with vast experience. "The FA has gone in another direction and brought in a wonderful manager with a lot of experience. He's helping us, and we're seeing the difference."

The Leicester City forward appealed to supporters to back both the players and the new technical team as they work to rebuild confidence and momentum.

"I know Ghana, and sometimes we take things a bit too personally, but we need to be patient, relaxed, and positive about the squad, the team, and the manager as well."

The Black Stars face Wales on June 2 in their final friendly before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. For Ayew, the message is clear: trust the process.

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