In a stunning move, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has left veteran forward André Ayew out of Ghana’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 36-year-old, a longtime pillar of the Ghana national team, has not donned the Black Stars jersey since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ghana’s journey ended abruptly in the group stage.
His ongoing absence from recent squads had already fueled lively debate about whether he would make a dramatic return for the global stage.
Even after trying to reignite his club career with NAC Breda, joining the Dutch side on a short-term deal in January after months without a team, Ayew found himself left out of the final selection.
Reports suggest the experienced forward was not included in Ghana’s provisional 53-man squad submitted earlier to FIFA, effectively ending his World Cup hopes before the final squad announcement scheduled for June 1 in conjunction with the Ghana Football Association.
Ayew’s exclusion has sparked a wave of mixed reactions, with some insisting his experience and leadership could have been invaluable, while others applaud the technical team’s bold move to rebuild with fresh, young talent.
Among those who publicly backed Ayew’s inclusion was Ghana’s Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams, who recently described the veteran attacker as a “player-coach type presence” capable of contributing leadership and experience, while also emphasizing the need to prioritize results.
Ayew, Ghana’s most-capped player, has weathered a challenging period at club level. After NAC Breda’s relegation from the Eredivisie, he was released, having managed just one goal in 16 appearances during his brief stint.
The Black Stars, preparing for their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance, have been drawn into Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.
Ghana will open its campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field in Toronto before facing England on June 23 in Boston and Croatia on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
As part of their preparations, Ghana will play international friendlies against the Mexico national football team on May 22 and the Wales national football team on June 2 while the coaching staff finalizes tactical plans ahead of the tournament.
For Ayew, this decision closes a major chapter in an international career that has stretched across World Cups and continental showdowns, as Ghana steps boldly into a new era under Queiroz.
