Assistant coach of the Ghana national football team, John Paintsil, has expressed strong optimism about the team’s prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that Ghana now possesses the experience and maturity needed to reach at least the semi-finals of the global World Cup.
According to the ex-Ghanaian international, the team has gathered enough experience from their previous participations to make it to the semis or grand final of the World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will be Ghana’s fifth appearance on the world stage after marking their maiden campaign in Germany in 2006, South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2018, and Qatar in 2022.
However, in all these tournaments, Ghana had a remarkable record of making it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 edition, having faced a round of 16 exit in 2006 and a group stage exit in the 2014 and 2022 editions, respectively.
Speaking to 3Sports, Paintsil said, “We have enough experience to be in the semi-finals or final of the 2026 World Cup. When it comes to the World Cup, Ghana is now experienced,” he stated.
He added that Ghana will need to have all the players in good shape so they will be ready to compete and deliver.
“I want all our players to be fit, so they’ll be ready for the call-up,” he noted.
Ghana has been paired with England, Panama, and Croatia in Group I, where they will face Panama on opening day on June 17, take on England next on June 23, and Croatia on June 27.
As part of the preparations for the World Cup, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has lined up three friendlies with Austria, Mexico, and Germany between March and May.
