Ghana’s Black Challenge will depart for Mexico on Tuesday after head coach Stephen Richard Obeng named his final 15-man squad for the 2026 World Amputee Football World Cup, scheduled for November 13–22 in San Juan de los Lagos.
The squad comprises goalkeepers Atsu Abor, Richmond Ofosu and Razak Seidu; defenders Richard Arthur Opentil, Sampson Larbi Sarfo, Timothy Hayford and Emmanuel Allotey; midfielders Fuseini Iddi, Mohammed Mubarik, Isaac Kwabena Eshun and Prince Nyarko; and forwards Richard Ekwam, Hamza Mohammed, Yussif Yahaya and Joseph Baidoo. Duodo Nana Agyiri will serve as Obeng’s assistant.
Ghana have been drawn in Group D alongside Angola, Colombia and Iraq. The Black Challenge will open their campaign against continental rivals Angola on November 14, face Colombia the following day and conclude their group-stage fixtures against Iraq on November 16.
The opening encounter against Angola presents an immediate test for Ghana, as the southern African side won the competition in 2018 and finished runners-up in 2022, when Türkiye claimed the title on home soil.
The 2026 tournament, the fourth edition of the competition, will feature 24 teams competing in 80 matches across four venues over 10 days. The teams have been divided into six groups of four.
Africa will be represented by seven nations — Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Ghana, Liberia, Morocco and Nigeria. Europe also has seven representatives: England, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Türkiye and Ukraine.
The Americas will contribute six teams — Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States and Uruguay — while Asia has four representatives: Iran, Iraq, Japan and Uzbekistan.
Ghana head to Mexico with an impressive continental pedigree, having won the African title in Tanzania in 2021, claimed gold at the 2023 African Para Games in Accra and retained their continental crown in Cairo in 2024 with a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the final. The triumph secured their qualification for the World Cup.
Their preparations included a 1-0 friendly victory over Liberia in Accra, with Yussif Yahaya scoring a late winner after goalkeeper Atsu Abor and the defence had withstood early pressure. Liberia are scheduled to face hosts Mexico in the tournament's opening match on November 13.
Obeng has cautioned his players against complacency, insisting that every match must be approached as a final as Ghana seek to demonstrate their ability to compete at the global level.
The coach has placed emphasis on physical conditioning and tactical discipline, while captain Richard Arthur Opentil has appealed for national support as the team prepares for the challenge.
Angola's pedigree makes the opening fixture a demanding assignment, but Ghana's recent continental success and blend of locally based and Türkiye-based players provide a strong foundation.
The Black Challenge will, however, need to translate their dominance in Africa into consistent performances against opponents with different playing styles if they are to make a significant impact in Mexico.
