Carlos Queiroz has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming international friendly against Mexico on Friday, May 22.
The match against Mexico is part of the Black Stars' final preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The squad is a deliberate blend of established fringe players, promising debutants and home-based talent, as the new coach uses the fixture as an extended audition for players hoping to earn a place in his final 26-man World Cup squad.
Since his unveiling at the Alisa Hotel in Accra in April, Queiroz has been immersed in the job visiting players in Europe, watching the Black Galaxies train, and piecing together his assessment of the full talent pool available to him. This squad is the first tangible expression of that evaluation.
From Toronto to Philadelphia: Ghana's full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule
A match outside the FIFA window
The Mexico friendly falls outside the official FIFA international window, which carries important implications for the squad composition.
European clubs are under no obligation to release players contracted with them, meaning Queiroz has been unable to call up his first-choice regulars like Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey and Inaki Williams.
Instead, the coach has used the opportunity wisely, populating the squad with players on the fringes of the first team and several who have never worn a Ghana shirt at senior level.
At his unveiling, Queiroz was emphatic that no player owns the national team shirt and that every selection would be based purely on merit and performance. This squad is the first proof of that philosophy in action.
Debutants and returnees
Among the most notable inclusions are several players who could earn their first Ghana caps in Mexico.
Augustine Boakye, a player who had been talked about as a potential inclusion for some time, receives his first call-up alongside Paul Reverson of Ajax and Joseph Opoku, who has been in form for Zulte-Waregem.
Majeed Ashimeru is the standout returnee. The former Anderlecht and current La Louvière midfielder has been absent from the national setup for an extended period due to a muscle injury.
Felix Afena-Gyan also returns, having last featured for Ghana in May of last year when he played against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Six local players get their chance
Six home-based players have been included in the squad spearheaded by Salim Adams of Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC.
He is joined by Ebenezer Abban of Heart of Lions, Ebenezer Adade and goalkeeper Gidios Aseako of Dreams FC, goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi of Accra Hearts of Oak, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson.
For these players, the Mexico friendly represents the opportunity of a lifetime and a chance to show one of the most experienced international coaches in the world that they belong.
The full squad
Goalkeepers: Solomon Agbasi (Accra Hearts of Oak), Paul Reverson (Ajax FC), Gidios Aseako (Dreams FC)
Defenders: Oscar Oppong (Granada), Ebenezer Adade (Dreams FC), Ebenezer Annan (St Etienne), Manu Duah (San Diego FC), Nathaniel Adjei (Lorient), Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Dacosta Antwi (Anderlecht Futures), Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions)
Midfielders: Emmanuel Edjei (Dundee United), Abdul Aziz Issah (Barcelona B), Augustine Boakye (St Etienne), Majeed Ashimeru (La Louvière), Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (Stoke City), Salim Adams (Medeama SC)
Forwards/Wingers: Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor), Felix Afena-Gyan (Amedspor), Ibrahim Osman (Birmingham City), Prince Amoako (Nordsjaelland), Francis Amuzu (Gremio), Joseph Opoku (Zulte-Waregem)
The bigger picture
The Mexico friendly is one of three remaining warm-up fixtures before the World Cup begins. Ghana will then face Wales on June 2 in Cardiff and then un unnamed opponent in the USA before the tournament starts.
The coach's final 26-man World Cup squad is expected to be announced on June 1. Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside England, Panama and Croatia.
Their campaign opens against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before facing England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
