- Kudus Ruled Out of World Cup in Major Blow to Ghana’s Group L Campaign
England have been handed a major boost ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup group-stage meeting with Ghana after Black Stars playmaker Mohammed Kudus was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
The Tottenham Hotspur forward was left out of Ghana’s provisional squad after failing to recover from a quadriceps injury and a subsequent rehabilitation setback that ended his season prematurely. Graphic Online reported that Kudus and centre-back Mohammed Salisu will miss the tournament as Ghana named a provisional squad for the World Cup.
Kudus, 25, had initially been expected to return in March after suffering the injury in January, but Tottenham later confirmed that he had experienced a setback in his recovery and could require further specialist review or possible surgery.
His absence represents a serious blow to Ghana’s attacking plans, particularly with the Black Stars drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama. Ghana are scheduled to face England on June 23, in a fixture that could prove decisive for qualification from the group.
Kudus had become Ghana’s most influential attacking player, combining ball-carrying ability, creativity and goal threat from midfield and wide areas. He has scored 13 goals in 46 international appearances, underlining his importance to the national side.
For England manager Thomas Tuchel, the development removes one of the most dangerous individual threats from Ghana’s squad.
Kudus was widely expected to be central to Ghana’s plan against England, particularly as a player capable of exploiting space between midfield and defence, carrying the ball through pressure and producing decisive moments in transition.
His absence also places additional responsibility on Ghana’s remaining attacking options, including Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
Semenyo, in particular, may now be asked to carry a heavier attacking burden after what has been described as a strong Premier League season, while Athletic Bilbao striker Williams returns to the national fold at a crucial moment for the Black Stars.
Ghana’s injury problems do not end with Kudus. Salisu, one of the country’s most reliable central defenders, has also been ruled out after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury. His absence leaves Ghana without a key defensive figure ahead of matches against England and Croatia.
The double setback leaves head coach Carlos Queiroz with difficult decisions as he reshapes both his attacking structure and defensive organisation before the tournament.
For Ghana, the challenge is now tactical as much as emotional. Losing Kudus removes not only creativity but also the player around whom much of the team’s attacking rhythm had been built.
For England, however, the news strengthens expectations that Tuchel’s side should progress from Group L, even though Croatia remain a major threat and Ghana still possess enough physicality and experience to complicate the group.
The World Cup, however, rarely follows the logic of squad lists alone.
Ghana have a history of producing intense, emotional performances on the global stage, and the absence of their star player may yet force a more collective approach from Queiroz’s team.
Still, there is no disguising the scale of the blow.
For the Black Stars, Kudus’ absence removes their clearest match-winner. For England, it is the kind of pre-tournament development that quietly improves their route through a difficult group.
