Former Ghana international Charles Taylor has sparked debate with his candid remarks on the inclusion of foreign-born players in the Black Stars setup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Angel TV, the ex-Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko forward stated bluntly that Ghanaians should manage their expectations about winning the World Cup, insisting that even coach Otto Addo understands the realistic limits of the national team’s ambitions.
“The truth is Ghana will not win the World Cup and everyone in Ghana knows this, including Otto Addo,” Taylor said. “We are just going to watch the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and then try to qualify for the knockout stages.”
Taylor, known for his forthright opinions, emphasized that players who have recently expressed interest in switching nationality to represent Ghana should be patient. He suggested that their services would be more valuable during the post-World Cup phase, especially in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
“So every player who wants to join the team now should wait for their chance after the World Cup,” he added. “We will really need them for AFCON qualifiers in Burundi, Seychelles, Congo, Botswana, and other countries they don’t know much about.”
His comments come at a time when the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Otto Addo’s technical team are reportedly in talks with several Europe-born players of Ghanaian descent to bolster the national team ahead of the global tournament.
While Taylor’s remarks may sound pessimistic to some, others see them as a dose of realism from a former player who knows the pressures and challenges of international football.
The Black Stars will compete in their fifth World Cup appearance in 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as they aim to surpass their historic 2010 quarter-final achievement in South Africa.