2026 World Cup: Black Stars must aim at playing in the final, says defender Gideon Mensah

Ghana defender Gideon Mensah has outlined a measured but ambitious approach to the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, stressing the importance of first clearing the group stage before targeting a deep run in the tournament.

The national team, known as the Black Stars, will be making their fifth appearance at the global showpiece, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The four-time African champions previously suffered group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022.

Mensah, who plays for French side AJ Auxerre, believes Ghana must prioritise steady progress as they prepare to compete in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

"I mean, we are hoping that we do better than our last World Cup, which was to go out of the group stage, and then we take it from there," Mensah told the Ghana FA website.

"I mean, we can aim to go to the finals and to win the World Cup, but then it needs to start from somewhere.

"So, if we are to go to the last World Cup, then I think we have to also focus on getting out of the group stage and then from there we can look into what will happen."

The Black Stars of Ghana national football team have already opened their pre-tournament camp in Cardiff, where they will face Wales in a friendly on June 2 as part of their build-up.

Ahead of the match, head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to finalise his 26-man squad for the tournament.

Ghana begin their World Cup journey against Panama at BMO Field on June 17, before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their group-stage campaign concludes against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on June 27.