FIFA publishes Black Stars squad numbers for 2026 World Cup

The squad numbers for Ghana's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign have been published by FIFA following coach Carlos Queiroz's confirmation of his final 26-man squad.

The Black Stars, who have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia, will head to North America with a squad that blends experience and youth as Ghana seek to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010.

Injuries to key players have significantly shaped the final squad. Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the tournament, while first-choice centre-back Alexander Djiku will also miss the World Cup. Mohammed Salisu is another notable absentee after suffering an ACL injury during the club season.

As a result, Queiroz has been forced to place his faith in a relatively inexperienced group. More than half of the players selected will be appearing at the World Cup for the first time, while only 11 members of the squad were part of Ghana's campaign at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Captain Jordan Ayew is the only player in the squad preparing for a third World Cup appearance. The experienced forward retains his familiar number nine shirt and is expected to play a leading role both on and off the pitch.

Brandon Thomas-Asante will wear the No. 10 shirt for Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, while Caleb Yirenkyi takes No. 3 and Kwasi Sibo will wear No. 8 pic.twitter.com/yZtkIeSB35

— Fiifi (@Efson_) June 2, 2026

Several established members of the squad have also kept numbers associated with them over recent years. Thomas Partey takes number five, Inaki Williams wears number 19, Antoine Semenyo has been assigned number 11, and Baba Rahman returns with number 17 after making his comeback to the national team.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi has been handed the number one shirt, while Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare will wear number 16.

Perhaps the biggest talking point from the list is the allocation of the iconic number 10 jersey. With Andre Ayew omitted from the squad and Mohammed Kudus unavailable through injury, the famous shirt has been handed to Brandon Thomas-Asante.

The Coventry City forward is set for his first World Cup and will carry one of the most recognisable numbers in Ghana football as the Black Stars prepare for the tournament.

Ghana's 2026 World Cup squad numbers

Lawrence Ati-Zigi - 1 Alidu Seidu - 2 Caleb Yirenkyi - 3 Jonas Adjetey - 4 Thomas Partey - 5 Abdul Mumin - 6 Fatawu Issahaku - 7 Kwasi Sibo - 8 Jordan Ayew - 9 Brandon Thomas-Asante - 10 Antoine Semenyo - 11 Joseph Anang - 12 Christopher Bonsu Baah - 13 Gideon Mensah - 14 Elisha Owusu - 15 Benjamin Asare - 16 Baba Rahman - 17 Jerome Opoku - 18 Inaki Williams - 19 Augustine Boakye - 20 Kojo Oppong Peprah - 21 Kamaldeen Sulemana - 22 Derrick Luckassen - 23 Ernest Nuamah - 24 Prince Kwabena Adu - 25 Marvin Senaya - 26

Ghana will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before taking on England on June 23 in Boston. The Black Stars will conclude their Group L fixtures against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

By Enoch Fiifi Forson