Director of Communications for the Ghana Football Association, Henry Asante Twum, has revealed the extensive scouting and analytical procedures that influenced the selection of the provisional 28 man Black Stars squad for official camping and the upcoming international friendly encounter against Wales in Cardiff ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The provisional squad announcement has generated intense public debate after notable names including Joseph Paintsil, Majeed Ashimeru, and Derrick Köhn were omitted from the list, which unusually features five goalkeepers. The decision attracted criticism from sections of the Ghanaian media as well as football supporters who questioned several selections made by the technical team.
Speaking during an interview on Asempa FM, Asante Twum explained that the final selections emerged from a carefully organised assessment strategy involving detailed video evaluations, direct scouting assignments, and continuous player performance monitoring across several competitions and leagues.
According to him, the technical department thoroughly examined approximately 200 player videos in order to evaluate individual performances and tactical suitability. In addition, the coaching staff monitored nearly 170 matches through live observation throughout the scouting exercise.
He further disclosed that 75 footballers underwent systematic scouting assessments while 30 players were personally observed during live matches. Every report and observation, he noted, was comprehensively documented to assist both immediate squad decisions and the national team’s broader medium term and long term developmental planning before the World Cup tournament.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars have intensified preparations after officially opening camp in Cardiff ahead of the international friendly against Wales scheduled for June 2. The match is expected to provide the technical team with an important opportunity to assess tactical combinations and player fitness before the start of the Mundial.
Ghana national football team will be making their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup and have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.
Ghana will begin its campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. The Black Stars will then conclude their group stage fixtures against Croatia on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The four time African champions are determined to overcome the disappointments of their previous World Cup campaigns after suffering group stage eliminations in both 2014 and 2022. The national side is now aiming to secure qualification into the knockout stages for the first time in more than a decade as hopes rise among supporters for a stronger global tournament performance.
