Former Black Stars head coach James Kwesi Appiah has urged Ghana to approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a strong winning mentality, stressing the need for both physical and psychological preparation ahead of the global showpiece.
Speaking on Akoma FM, the former Ghana captain made it clear that ambition, not fear of opponents, must define Ghana’s approach at the tournament.
“Ghana needs to prepare well physically and psychologically. Irrespective of whoever we meet, the ambition should be that we have to win,” Kwesi Appiah said.
Ghana have already secured qualification for the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June to July 2026. The Black Stars are drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama, a group many have described as challenging.
However, Kwesi Appiah believes mindset will be just as important as tactics and talent if Ghana are to make a meaningful impact.
The Black Stars will be making their fifth World Cup appearance, having previously featured in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Their finest run came in South Africa 2010, where they reached the quarter-finals, narrowly missing out on becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
Recent tournaments, however, have been less kind, with Ghana exiting at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022, heightening the desire for redemption at the 2026 finals.
Kwesi Appiah, who guided Ghana to the 2014 World Cup and later returned for a second spell, believes lessons from past campaigns must now translate into better preparation and sharper focus.
With high-profile friendlies lined up and expectations rising, the former coach insists Ghana must enter every match believing victory is possible regardless of the opponent.
For Kwesi Appiah, success in 2026 will depend not only on talent, but on mental strength, unity and the courage to compete at the highest level.
