Mohammed Kudus and Alexander Djiku are back in the Black Stars as Carlos Queiroz begins Ghana’s post-World Cup rebuild with a demanding 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Côte d’Ivoire.
Kudus, Ghana’s attacking talisman, headlines Queiroz’s 24-man squad after recovering from the injury that kept him out for seven months and ultimately cost him a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Djiku also returns after a hamstring injury ruled the Spartak Moscow defender out of the World Cup, restoring one of Ghana’s most experienced centre-backs for a crucial international window.
Their return adds experience and quality to a squad that signals both continuity and renewal as Queiroz starts shaping the next version of the Black Stars.
Ghana face Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, September 24, before hosting The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium five days later on Tuesday, September 29. The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, October 4.
For Queiroz, the three-match programme represents far more than another international window. It is the first competitive phase of his new mandate after the World Cup and the beginning of a longer rebuilding project.
The Portuguese coach has made qualification for the 2027 AFCON his immediate priority while simultaneously beginning preparations towards the 2030 World Cup.
“The priority is very clear: absolute focus on AFCON qualification, with our eyes set on the 2030 World Cup,” Queiroz said as he outlined the direction of his new cycle.
He warned against allowing Ghana’s long-term ambitions to distract from the immediate challenge, insisting the Black Stars must first earn their place at the continental championship before contemplating bigger targets.
That journey begins against Côte d’Ivoire, giving Queiroz an early examination of how quickly his returning senior players, established World Cup performers and recruits, can be moulded into a stronger unit.
Kudus back after seven months
Few returns will attract more attention than Kudus.
The Tottenham Hotspur attacker missed Ghana’s entire World Cup campaign after suffering an injury that resulted in a seven-month absence, depriving Queiroz of one of the country’s most creative and explosive attacking players.
His return immediately strengthens a forward line that also contains Manchester City striker Antoine Semenyo, Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah, Ipswich Town’s Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and captain Jordan Ayew of Sheffield United.
Ibrahim Osman of Brighton and Hove Albion also returns, while Sassuolo midfielder Ibrahim Sulemana has been recalled.
France-based defender Nathaniel Adjei is another significant returnee after almost a year away from the national team. His performances for Lorient in Ligue 1 have forced him back into Queiroz’s plans.
Gyamerah, Donkor get first chance
There is also fresh blood. SV Elversberg right-back Jan Gyamerah and New York Red Bulls midfielder Ronald Donkor have received their maiden Black Stars call-ups after strong starts to the season.
Gyamerah has made four appearances for Elversberg in the 2026/27 German Bundesliga 2 campaign. The defender brings considerable experience from the German system, having previously played for Kaiserslautern, Nürnberg, Hamburger SV and VfL Bochum.
Donkor, meanwhile, earns his first senior international opportunity after impressing with New York Red Bulls.
The midfielder began his development at the JMG Football Academy in Mali and later played for Guidars FC before joining the Red Bulls in May 2023.
Their inclusion gives Queiroz further options as he attempts to refresh the squad without dismantling the core that competed at the World Cup.
Asare keeps place
Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare retains his position alongside Lawrence Ati-Zigi and St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Joseph Anang.
At the back, Djiku joins Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Derrick Luckassen, Nathaniel Adjei, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Peprah and debutant Gyamerah.
The midfield includes Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, Kwasi Sibo, Sulemana and Donkor, while Queiroz has kept considerable attacking firepower in a forward group led by Kudus, Semenyo and Jordan Ayew.
Queiroz has stressed that club form and match fitness will remain central to selection as the new cycle develops.
His message is clear: reputation alone will not secure places.
“Every squad selection, every training session and every match must contribute to building a better team,” the coach said, arguing that Ghana must work “even harder and better” if the Black Stars are to close the gap on Africa’s leading sides.
The rebuilding starts now — and against Côte d’Ivoire, Queiroz will get an immediate indication of how much ground Ghana still have to cover.
Ghana's 24-man squad
Goalkeepers:
Benjamin Asare — Hearts of Oak
Lawrence Ati-Zigi — St Gallen
Joseph Anang — St Patrick’s Athletic
Defenders
Gideon Mensah — FC Köln
Baba Rahman — PAOK
Jan Gyamerah — SV Elversberg
Derrick Luckassen — Red Star Belgrade
Nathaniel Adjei — Lorient
Jerome Opoku — Istanbul Başakşehir
Kojo Oppong Peprah — Fenerbahçe
Alexander Djiku — Spartak Moscow
Midfielders
Kwasi Sibo — Swehly Club
Caleb Yirenkyi — Coventry City
Augustine Boakye — Saint-Étienne
Ronald Donkor — New York Red Bulls
Ibrahim Sulemana — Sassuolo
Forwards
Christopher Bonsu Baah — Al Qadishia
Ernest Nuamah — Lyon
Mohammed Kudus — Tottenham Hotspur
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku — Ipswich Town
Antoine Semenyo — Manchester City
Ibrahim Osman — Brighton and Hove Albion
Prince Adu Kwabena — Viktoria Plzeň
Jordan Ayew — Sheffield United
Fixtures
2027 AFCON qualifier — September 24, 2026
Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire
2027 AFCON qualifier — September 29, 2026
Ghana vs The Gambia — Accra Sports Stadium
International friendly — October 4, 2026
Morocco vs Ghana
