Gideon Mensah is a Black Stars defender
Black Stars defender Gideon Mensah stated that Ghana's upcoming international friendly against Wales will serve as a crucial test of the team's readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The national team has opened its training camp in Cardiff to prepare for the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Under head coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana will play Wales on June 2, followed by a friendly against Jamaica.
Before the match against Wales, Queiroz is expected to announce his final 26-man tournament squad.
Speaking on the Ghana FA website, Mensah emphasised the significance of the upcoming matches.
“The expectation is very clear for me as a player, and then we as a team, we are working towards a very crucial tournament for us, for the country and for ourselves as players,” he said.
“So, I mean, we are expecting that we go into the game, show to the Ghanaians and show to ourselves that we are ready to go and compete with whoever comes against us in the World Cup.”
Ghana has been drawn into Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, play England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium, and face Croatia on June 27 at Lincoln Financial Field.
The team aims to advance past the group stage for the first time since 2010, following group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.
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