Gideon Mensah has called on Ghana to adopt a balanced and realistic approach ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the Black Stars must first focus on advancing beyond the group stage before thinking about a deeper run in the tournament.
The defender believes gradual progress will be crucial as Ghana prepares for its fifth appearance at football’s biggest competition, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Ghana national football team have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia and will be seeking an improved performance after suffering group-stage eliminations at both the 2014 and 2022 editions of the tournament.
Mensah, who plays club football for AJ Auxerre, said the team must concentrate on taking one step at a time rather than becoming distracted by long-term ambitions.
“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.”
Ghana heads into the tournament aiming to improve on recent World Cup campaigns after early exits in Brazil in 2014 and Qatar in 2022. The four-time African champions remain one of Africa’s most recognisable football nations, but they have struggled to replicate the success of their memorable 2010 campaign, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Preparations for this year’s competition are already under way, with the Black Stars opening their pre-tournament training camp in Cardiff ahead of an international friendly against Wales on 2 June.
The match is expected to provide an important test for head coach Carlos Queiroz as he finalises his 26-man squad for the tournament.
Ghana’s opening match at the World Cup will come against Panama at BMO Field on 17 June. The Black Stars will then face England at Gillette Stadium on 23 June before concluding their group-stage fixtures against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field on 27 June.
The group presents a difficult challenge for Ghana, with England and Croatia both regarded as experienced tournament sides, while Panama will also be hoping to progress beyond the opening phase.
Mensah’s comments reflect a growing focus within the Ghana camp on building momentum steadily rather than placing unnecessary pressure on the squad. The defender suggested that while ambitions of reaching the latter stages of the tournament remain important, success will depend on first overcoming the immediate challenge of the group stage.
With preparations continuing in Cardiff and the final squad announcement approaching, Ghana will now look to sharpen its form before beginning another World Cup campaign on the international stage.
