Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil has dropped a strong hint that Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature a few unexpected names.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Paintsil revealed that the technical team is casting a wide net in its player selection.

With the final squad set to be announced on June 1, the former Ghana international stressed that both home-based players and those plying their trade abroad are firmly in contention.

“We are focused on both local and international players for the Black Stars’ World Cup squad. Every Ghanaian who qualifies to play is welcome, but there will be a lot of surprises,” Paintsil told Asempa FM.

As part of preparations, the Black Stars are expected to regroup in March for a pair of high-profile international friendlies against Austria and Germany, games that could prove decisive for players hoping to secure a spot on the plane to North America.

Ghana has been drawn into Group L, where they will face Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, take on England in Boston, and wrap up the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

After early exits at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, the four-time African champions are eager to make a deeper run and restore pride on the global stage in 2026.