Black Stars can exceed expectations at the 2026 World Cup – Afenyo-Markin

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has expressed strong confidence in the ability of Ghana’s national football team, the Ghana national football team, to compete with the world’s top football nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on TV3 Ghana’s New Day programme on Tuesday, the Effutu Member of Parliament said Ghana possesses the quality, talent, and football heritage needed to make a significant impact at the tournament, which will be hosted across North America.

However, he stressed that the team’s success will depend heavily on proper preparation, strong leadership, and adequate motivation for both players and the technical team.

“They need to be properly motivated. The incentives that are supposed to be in place must be in place. When a Ghanaian team is properly composed and well motivated, they go beyond expectation,” Afenyo-Markin stated.

The Minority Leader noted that Ghanaian football teams have historically performed exceptionally well whenever the right structures, discipline, and incentives have been provided.

He also revealed that he expects Sports Minister Kofi Adams to brief Parliament on preparations for the tournament when lawmakers reconvene on May 19.

According to him, transparency and strategic planning will be critical if Ghana is to compete effectively against some of the strongest football nations in the world.

Afenyo-Markin reflected on Ghana’s historic run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where the Black Stars became only the third African team to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.

He recalled the team’s dramatic exit against Uruguay national football team after Asamoah Gyan missed a crucial penalty during extra time — a moment many Ghanaian fans still remember as one of the most heartbreaking in the nation’s football history.

“Ghana has great potential when it comes to football. We know what we did in South Africa where we crossed the round of 16 stage and were almost there. But for the penalty miss by Asamoah Gyan, we would have reached the semi-finals,” he said.

The Black Stars are scheduled to begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in Toronto on June 17 with an opening Group L match against Panama national football team.

Ghana will later face tougher group-stage encounters against England national football team and Croatia national football team in what analysts have described as one of the tournament’s highly competitive groups.

Despite the difficult draw, many Ghanaian supporters remain optimistic that the Black Stars can rediscover the resilience, unity, and fighting spirit that once made them one of Africa’s most respected teams on the global stage.

Football analysts believe the team’s preparation, player fitness, tactical discipline, and administrative stability will play major roles in determining Ghana’s success at the tournament.