Ghana Could Be a Serious Threat At The World Cup... Even Without Uncle Ayew

Ghana Could Be a Serious Threat At The World Cup... Even Without Uncle Ayew

Ghana are back in business — not at AFCON, but on the world stage. After the heartbreak of failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, many wrote off the Black Stars.

But fast forward to this latest international break, and Otto Addo’s side are all but qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and we think they could be on the cusp of something special in next year’s tournament.

There hasn’t been as much excitement around the Black Stars since the 2010 tournament in South Africa when Assomoah Gyan and co lit up the competition.

Ghana when it comes to playing world cup instead of AFCON https://t.co/yk1IkffmJ5 pic.twitter.com/N8HJYGK0AI

— ThinkBetter (@ThatTcholeGuy) October 8, 2025

Ghana - A Stacked Squad

Ghana are cooking up a storm, and their recent squad is stacked with talent.

Scrolling through the names, it’s easy to see why. This is a side packed with flair, pace, and players making waves in Europe.

At the heart of it all is Mohammed Kudus, now dazzling Premier League crowds at Tottenham Hotspur after a big summer move from West Ham. Kudus has hit the ground running at Spurs — his direct running and mindboggling trickery make him one of Africa’s most complete attacking midfielders.

Behind him, the defensive core is maturing fast. Mohammed Salisu has settled brilliantly at Monaco, and Alidu Seidu has become a regular in Ligue 1.

And then there’s Antoine Semenyo, arguably the Premier League’s most impressive forward this season alongside Erling Haaland, and the Bournemouth star must be licking his lips at the thought of a starring role at next year’s World Cup.

Mo with an assist in a big win for Ghana last night 🙌

The result puts the Black Stars on the brink of World Cup qualification 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/dezEeZq2dv

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) October 9, 2025

Semenyo’s Form: Ghana’s New Firestarter

It’s hard to ignore Semenyo right now. The 25-year-old has been red-hot in 2025 for the Cherries and is being linked with a host of top teams already, but right now his focus is firmly on Bournemouth and his country.

For Ghana, Semenyo’s rise is perfectly timed. For years, the team lacked a reliable striker. Now, paired with Kudus and Inaki Williams, Ghana suddenly have a front line that looks built to damage anyone.

Semenyo could well become this team’s version of Gyan. Capable of magic and lighting up any game. Gyan and his dance moves made Ghana one of the must-watch teams 15 years ago, and now Semenyo could be the spark that the Black Stars needed.

Premier League goals and assists leaderboard:

▪️Antoine Semenyo 2nd for goals
▪️Mohammed Kudus joint 1st for assists

Black Stars taking over 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/blRtDVxBf8

— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) October 9, 2025

Life After Uncle Ayew — A Team Reborn

It’s been over a decade since Ghana leaned on the Ayew brothers to lead every charge. André’s absence this time isn’t just a personnel change — it’s symbolic. The team no longer revolves around one figure.

🚨🇬🇭 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Andre Ayew (35) is now a free agent after leaving Le Havre. ✅

He has made 700+ appearances and contributed to 248 goals. New chapter awaits. 🔜 pic.twitter.com/vG9A7BAR2h

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) August 3, 2025

Instead, the Black Stars have evolved into a unit. Kudus leads by example, Williams by grit, and Semenyo by spark. The squad is now more complete, rather than a group of individuals.

Coach Otto Addo deserves credit for that. After the AFCON failure, he could have reverted to his familiar ways. Instead, he doubled down on youth and development, and it’s paying off.

From AFCON Pain to World Cup Promise

Missing out on AFCON 2025 was painful — the lowest point of Ghana’s recent footballing story. But in hindsight, it might have been the wake-up call the team needed. Instead of dwelling on disappointment, the squad regrouped and focused on World Cup qualifying.

And now? They’re this close to sealing their ticket to North America. Barring a complete collapse, Ghana will be in the 2026 World Cup, and they’ll arrive looking like a team with something to prove.

It’s hard not to draw parallels with 2010. A young, fearless side, packed with European-based talent, mixing flair with fight. That team had Asamoah Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Kwadwo Asamoah. This one has Kudus, Semenyo, Fatawu, and Williams. The baton has been passed, and the energy feels similar.

📅 On this day, in 2010, Luis Suárez handled the ball on the line in the 120th minute against Ghana. 🧤

🟥 After his sending off, Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty and then Ghana lost the penalty shoot-out.

Fair to say that Ghanaians will NEVER forgive him 😤 pic.twitter.com/81ZIMzFdGZ

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 1, 2024

Don’t Sleep on the Black Stars

Ghana aren’t a finished product, and there’s still plenty of work ahead. But the ingredients are all there: form, firepower, and a point to prove.

Missing AFCON could end up being a blessing in disguise. The players are fresher, hungrier, and laser-focused on the biggest stage of all. With Semenyo on fire, Kudus orchestrating from midfield, and a solid core behind them, this Ghana team has the tools to surprise anyone.

So yes — Ghana could be a serious threat at the World Cup. The world might have stopped talking about them after AFCON — but the Black Stars are quietly cooking something special. And if 2010 taught us anything, it’s not to underestimate the Ghanaians.