Ghana defender Jerome Opoku says helping the Black Stars qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup stands as one of the proudest moments of his career, describing the experience as “amazing” and unforgettable.
In an interview with RG, the İstanbul Başakşehir centre-back admitted the emotions took time to settle after Ghana booked their ticket to next year’s tournament with a 1-0 win over Comoros in Accra earlier this month.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in. But when I was on that pitch, and once the whistle went, I looked around me, I saw everyone’s faces, I saw my family’s faces too; it was just amazing,” Opoku said. “That’s definitely the biggest achievement so far in my career, 100%. It made me feel like I was part of something much bigger than just football because you see how much it means to everyone in the country.”
The 27-year-old featured in five matches during the qualification campaign and has become a dependable figure in Otto Addo’s defensive setup since making his debut earlier this year. Known for his composure and reading of the game, Opoku also netted his first international goal in a friendly against Uganda in March.
He believes Ghana’s World Cup qualification is only the start of a bigger journey under Addo’s leadership.
The Black Stars, four-time African champions, will make their fifth World Cup appearance when the tournament kicks off in June 2026 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
