Ghana World Cup 2022 guide: Key players, injuries, tactics & tournament prediction

Ghana are the lowest ranked team in the 2022 World Cup, although that does not mean they lack pedigree.

The Black Stars reached the quarter-finals in 2010 before losing controversially to Uruguay and this will be their fourth appearance on football’s grandest stage.

Unfortunately, the draw has not been kind to them, and Ghana will have to overcome Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea to get out of Group H.

Here is what to expect from Ghana at the World Cup.

When are Ghana's group games?

• Portugal vs Ghana (November 24, 16:00 GMT)
• South Korea vs Ghana (November 28, 13:00 GMT)
• Ghana vs Uruguay (December 2, 15:00 GMT)

• Ghana vs Portugal H2H record: Played 1, Lost 1
• Ghana vs South Korea H2H record: Played 6, Won 3, Lost 3
• Ghana vs Uruguay H2H record: Played 1, Lost 1

• Portugal World Cup 2022 guide: Key players, injuries, tactics & tournament prediction
• South Korea World Cup 2022 guide: Key players, injuries, tactics & tournament prediction
• Uruguay World Cup 2022 guide: Key players, injuries, tactics & tournament prediction

Who is in Ghana's confirmed 26-player squad for the World Cup?

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St Gallen), Ibrahim Danlad (Asante Kotoko), Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen).

Defenders: Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Daniel Amartey (Leicester), Abdul-Rahman Baba (Reading), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Mohammed Salisu (Southampton), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot).

Midfielders: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax), Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (Freiburg), Elisha Owusu (Gent), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens)

Forwards: Daniel Afriyie (Hearts of Oak), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), Issahaku Abdul Fatawu (Sporting CP), Antoine Semenyo (Bristol City), Kamal Sowah (Club Brugge), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennes), Inaki Williams (Athletic Club). 

Which Ghana players are missing the World Cup through injury?

Ghana have something of a goalkeeping crisis going into the World Cup.

Their number one Joe Wollacot was injured in the warm-up of Charlton’s 3-3 draw against Burton Albion, which was their final game before the Ghana squad was announced.

To compound matters, number two Richard Ofori also picked up an injury while training with his club Orlando Pirates, leaving Manaf Nurudeen, Ibrahim Danlad and Lawrence Ati-Zigi to pick up the slack.

Idrissu Baba, Johnathan Mensah and Mubarak Wakaso are also out.

Who are Ghana's best players?

Thomas Partey

If Ghana are going to achieve anything in Qatar, they are going to need Thomas Partey at the very top of his game. The Arsenal man has been a key man for the Gunners, who top the Premier League going into the World Cup break.

Andre Ayew

Ayew has been a mainstay of the Ghana set-up for years, and is the one holdover from the squad that reached the quarter-finals in 2010. Ayew’s club career has dropped off a little in recent years, but the Al-Sadd man was still Ghana’s top scorer in their qualification campaign and his experience will be crucial to coach Otto Addo.

Tariq Lamptey

Brighton full-back Lamptey was capped at England Under-21 level for England but switched allegiances in time for an international debut for Ghana against Brazil in September. Assuming he also features in the warm-up game against Switzerland, they will be his only caps going into the World Cup. In terms of talent, though, he is already one of their top players.

Issahaku Fatawu

The 18-year-old is a relative unknown at the moment but a player from whom great things are expected. The Sporting CP winger only has a handful of games under his belt in the Primeira Liga, but he has done enough to reportedly interest Liverpool. He may be used from the bench initially, but he has the talent to make an impact.  

Ghana predicted starting lineup

Ghana have their injury problems and that means their side could evolve throughout the tournament. Expect them to start with 4-2-3-1 shape though and take it from there.

Ghana predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Danlad; Lamptey, Salisu, Amartey, Mensah; Partey, Baba, J Ayew, A Ayew, Sulemana; Williams

Harry Symeou hosts Toby Cudworth & Jack Gallagher to look back on Germany '06 as part of the 'Our World Cups' series. We take a trip down memory lane - join us!

If you can't see the podcast embed, click here to download the episode in full!

Ghana's form going into the World Cup

Ghana head to Qatar in good form, winning three of their last five games. In one of those two they lost, a 2-0 away defeat to Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, they won a penalty shootout too. That has to be confidence-building preparation for a World Cup.

Ghana's last five results (all competitions)

Benin 0-1 Ghana
Ghana 2-0 Nigeria
Nigeria 2-0P Ghana
Brazil 3-0 Ghana
Nicaragua 0-1 Ghana

Where will Ghana finish in the World Cup?

Ghana are the lowest-ranked team in the World Cup, although quite how much can be read into that is another question entirely.

Still, that ranking is still number 61, so they are hardly some plucky minnows. Indeed, Ghana’s squad is packed with some very recognisable names from the best leagues in world football.

The problem they have is they have a bit of a stinker of a draw. Beating Portugal and Uruguay will likely be beyond them, although they do have some unfinished World Cup business with the latter. If they can bully South Korea a little in their second match, though, they might have a chance.

However, it’s still hard to see them getting out of the group.

Prediction: Group stage exit