The disappointment of missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) still lingers in the hearts of Ghanaians, but the focus has now shifted to a greater goal—qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

At the heart of this mission is Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, whose unwavering commitment to seeing the Black Stars return to the grand stage has drawn praise from none other than Asamoah Gyan, the country’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Gyan, who etched his name in history by scoring Ghana’s first-ever World Cup goal in 2006, believes Okraku is working relentlessly to rally support and ensure the national team secures a spot at the tournament set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“Kurt Okraku is working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Ghana qualifies for the 2026 World Cup. Missing out on AFCON was a huge blow, but now we must shift our focus. The players understand what is at stake, and everyone must come together to make this happen,” Gyan told Asempa FM.

The GFA president has reportedly been engaging stakeholders and strengthening ties between the team and the nation, fostering a united front to push the Black Stars forward.

Ghana’s qualification journey resumes this week as they face Chad in a crucial Matchday 5 fixture on Friday, March 20, at the Accra Sports Stadium. They will then travel to Morocco to battle Madagascar on Monday, March 24.

With the stakes higher than ever, the Black Stars are training intensively, knowing that failure will not only affect individuals but the entire nation. Ghanaians are hopeful that Okraku’s leadership and the team’s resilience will propel them back to the World Cup stage.