Ghana have been dealt a huge blow as €64.8million Spurs signing Mohammed Kudus’ faces the possibility of missing the team’s crucial games ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana secured qualification to the summer’s championship with Mohammed Kudus scoring a 47th minute goal in a 1-0 win over Comoros in October 2025.
Kudus’ goal ensured the Black Stars finished top of Group I with 25 points, six more than second placed Madagascar, securing an automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the process.
Ghana, who have been to four previous tournaments, have been drawn against 1966 World champions England, 2018 finalists Croatia and Panama in Group L.
The Black Stars are, however, set to open tgeir campaign against Panama on June 17 before facing England on June 23 in what will be a repeat of the international friendly played in 2011, where the game ended in a 1-1.
Ghana will then close out its World Cup group stage with a tie against Luka Modric’s Croatia.
However, the Black Stars’ pre World Cup preparations has been hammered even before take on.
Ghana have lined up four friendly games in the lead up to the tournament, with the first set expected to take place later this month.
Austria are the team’s first test on March 27 before Germany on March 30.
Otto Addo‘s side will have to navigate the two friendly games without Mohammed Kudus, who has been out with a quad injury since January 4.
The Ghanaian clutched his tie and went off inside the first 20 minutes in Spurs’ home tie with Sunderland in the Premier League.
Since then, former Spurs boss Thomas Frabk confirmed that Kudus is expected to be out of action until April, which rules him out of Ghana’s double-header.
His absence has been evident as Spurs suffered a 5-2 defeat in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid and precariously battle for survival in the Premier League.
The 25 year old has so far missed 14 games for Spurs. The injury has had Mohammed Kudus reportedly travel to Amsterdam in the past month to see a specialist on treatment.
The earliest return for the Ghanaian is expected on April 12 when Spurs battle Sunderland.
Kudus played a starring rolf for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored twice against South Korea, becoming the first Ghanaian to achieve the feat.
Since signing for Spurs, Kudus has provided two assists and scored five goals in 19 Premier League games.
Otto Addo is expected to name his squad for the friendly ties later in the week.
Ghana will then playe two more friendlies before the World Cup.
The Black Stars will line up against Mexico in May and then lock horns with Wales on June 2.
Kudus’ absence from the friendly games speaks to a larger injury concern hampering the Black Stars ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ernest Nuamah is gradually making his way back from injury while Francis Abu has started running again on grass following a horrific leg break.
Inaki Williams has had his fair share of injury struggles while Thomas Partey has been in and out of Villarreal’s squad.
The games against Germany and Austria will serve as a first-hand test for the Black Stars.
Otto Addo is expected to call his main-stat team members; Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku and give opportunities to players like Augustine Boakye and Jerry Afriyie.
