Otto Addo Names Strong 24-Man Squad As Black Stars Prepare For Crucial World Cup Qualifiers Against Chad and Mali
Head Coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo has officially announced a 25-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Chad and Mali, marking the return of key players Thomas Partey and Kamaldeen Sulemana.
The squad features a balanced mix of experience and youth, including three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards. In goal, Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen) leads the charge, supported by Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic) and Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak).
The defensive lineup includes Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Derrick Arthur Köhn (Union Berlin), Mohammed Salisu (AS Monaco), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Başakşehir), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahçe), Jonas Adjetey (FC Basel), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton and Hove Albion), and Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland).
Midfield options feature Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Osman (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Atalanta BC), Abdul Salis Samed (OGC Nice), and vice-captain Thomas Partey (Villarreal CF). Star man Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham Hotspur) also makes a return after a strong start to the Premier League season.
In the attacking department, Addo has called up Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Joseph Paintsil (LA Galaxy), Jerry Afriyie (RAAL La Louvière), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Club), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al-Qadsiah), and the in-form Jordan Ayew.
The Black Stars will face Chad on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique in N’Djamena, before returning home to host Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
In preparation for these crucial matches, the squad will assemble between August 31 and September 1, holding their first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 1. This session will be open to both media and the public, followed by closed-door training before their departure for Chad.
