Former United States defender Alexi Lalas says he would prefer to see the Black Stars in the same group as the host nation at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
He voiced his thoughts during a Fox Sports preview programme ahead of Friday’s official draw.
Lalas, who scored nine goals across ninety-eight caps for the U.S. between 1991 and 1998, did not mince words about Ghana’s current squad. “This isn’t a great Ghana team…Give me Ghana.”
He followed up by acknowledging Ghana’s pedigree on the global stage. “This isn’t a great Ghana team, but it is still Ghana. They have plenty of history when it comes to playing against us.”
The Black Stars have indeed troubled the Americans at previous World Cups, winning two of the three encounters between the two sides.
Ghana claimed a 2–1 victory in their first meeting in 2006 before repeating the result in 2010, with Asamoah Gyan’s extra-time strike sealing progression to the quarterfinals.
Their only setback against the U.S. came in 2014, when the Americans edged them 2–1 in Brazil.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw is scheduled for Friday at 5 PM local time in Washington.
