Black Stars technical advisor Winfried Schaefer has called on Ghana Premier League players to elevate their performances and remain committed, stressing that opportunities in the national team remain open despite growing competition ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The next global tournament, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format, intensifying the race for places across all participating nations. With squad depth and quality becoming increasingly important, Schaefer believes home-based players must seize every opportunity to prove their readiness for international duty.
In recent years, locally based footballers have found it difficult to secure regular call-ups to the senior national team, with only a few managing to cement consistent roles. This trend, however, is something the veteran German tactician appears keen to balance by closely monitoring domestic competitions.
Schaefer has reportedly been present at several league and cup fixtures over the past two months, assessing players who could potentially strengthen the Black Stars. He was again spotted over the weekend when Medeama SC edged Samartex on penalties to book a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, underscoring his interest in the local scene.
Speaking in an interview with Medeama FM, Schaefer emphasized that the Ghana Premier League remains a crucial pipeline for national talent and urged players not to be discouraged by the presence of Europe-based stars in the squad.
“The heart of football in Ghana is in the local league, not only with players in Europe. I urge all players to work hard if they want to earn a call-up into the Black Stars,” he said.
He further highlighted that selection is increasingly merit-based, with consistency, discipline, and strong match performances serving as key benchmarks. According to Schaefer, the rising competition within the Black Stars setup should act as motivation rather than a deterrent for local players aiming to break into the team.
His remarks come at a time when Ghana’s technical team is focused on assembling a balanced and competitive squad capable of excelling on the continental stage and making a strong impact at the World Cup. For home-based players, the message is clear — sustained excellence in domestic competitions remains their strongest pathway to international recognition.
