Ghana 2022 WC Squad : World Cup coaches are expected to submit provisional squad lists to FIFA by Friday as the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals kicks off in the next month.
FIFA says the maximum number of players on the provisional release list for each team has been increased from 35 to 55.
Meanwhile the final squad list for the World Cup finals has been increased from at least 23 to 26 players and teams must submit their final squad list by November 14th.
We at GhanaSportsMarket.com have produced a 20-man list of Black Stars players that we think will definitely go to Qatar if everybody is fully fit and fine.
Based on current form and Black Stars pedigree , below are the twenty-players who are sure-bets for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup.
1.Andre Ayew : Al-Sadd , Qatar.
The best days of Andre are surely behind him but he is one of the most experienced internationals expected to be in Qatar after making over 100 appearances for the Black Stars. As the captain of the side we think the first name on Otto Addo’s final list will be Andre Ayew.
Recent Ghana coaches have all relied on the class and international pedigree of the son of Abedi Ayew and Otto Addo is clearly a big fan of the Number Ten.
2.Joseph Wollacot : Charlton Athletic , England.
Was the starting goalkeeper for Ghana at the 2022 AFCON under Milovan Rajevac and he has continued to be the main keeper for Otto Addo.
3.Thomas Partey – Arsenal , England.
After 40 caps for Ghana , Partey is one of the senior Black Stars players and when the Arsenal man is fit he picks himself for every tournament.
4.Jordan Ayew : Crystal Palace , England
Jordan does not score goals as a striker but he works for the team ; the reason why Patrick Vieira and Otto Addo have always used him. We don’t see him not making the final cut.
5.Mohammed Salisu : Southampton , England.
His second-half performance against Brazil last month earned massive plaudits from Ghanaian fans.
6.Mohammed Kudus : FC Ajax , Netherlands.
Arguably the finest Ghanaian player abroad right now. The Ajax playmaker is a sure-bet to go to Qatar. He has been a strong performer for both club and country.
Kudus is the taste of almost every Black Stars supporter out there and many await to see him lined – up for the Black Stars at the biggest soccer event.
7.Inaki Williams : Athletic Bilbao , Spain
Author of 4 goals for Athletic so far this season Williams impressed – without scoring any goals – on his debut for Ghana against Brazil and Nicaragua.
8.Richard Ofori – Orlando Pirates , South Africa. (*)
If he manages to stay fit , Ofori will surely be one of the goalkeepers Ghana will take to Qatar. Has been the number one for Orlando Pirates this season and he only faces a race against injuries to go to Qatar.
9.Alidu Seidu – Clermont Foot , France.
Able to play in central defence and at right back , Seidu provides Otto Addo with more options and the Ligue 1 based defender is very likelty to nail a spot on Addo’s final squad list.
10.Denis Odoi – Club Brugge , Belgium
The 34-year old is arguably the best Ghanaian right back right now and we don’t see him failing to make the World Cup final list.
11.Gideon Mensah – Bordeaux , France.
Gideon has not been an absolute starter at club level this season partly due to injuries but he performs for the Black Stars.
12.Daniel Amartey – Leicester City , England
Amartey has been at three tournaments with the Black Stars ; the 2015 AFCON , 2017 AFCON , 2022 AFCON. With such rich tournament experience , we expect to see him once again at a major tournament for Ghana.
13.Alexander Djiku – Strasbourg , France.
Strasbourg has contested 11 official matches this season so far , Djiku has started and completed all those games except one game. His regularity at his club and his good performances for the Black Stars means he is well positioned to earn a final squad list mention.
14.Iddrisu Baba – Real Mallorca , Spain.
Baba is having a challenging season at Mallorca but he is one of those Ghana players who are likely to get invited even when things are not going on smoothly at club side.
15.Osman Bukari : Red Star Belgrade , Serbia.
One of the most prolific Ghanaian attackers in Europe this season. 7 goals in 18 appearances so far for a 23-year old winger deserves to go to the World Cup.
16.Felix Afena – Gyan : Cremonese , Italy.
Scored his first goal of the season for Cremonese on Thursday in the Coppa Italia and the goal came at the right time.
17.Joseph Paintsil – Genk , Belgium.
Scorer of 5 goals and 4 assists maker for Genk so far this season , Joseph is one of few Ghanaian players abroad with a high goal-involvement rate. His inclusion in the final Ghana squad for the World Cup will not be a surprise at all.
18.Daniel Kofi-Kyere : Freiburg , Germany.
Won the admiration of many Ghanaian fans during the AFCON in Cameroon. Having moved to Freiburg in the Bundesliga , Kofi-Kyere has 3 goals and 1 assist for the German side and we believe he will be included in Ghana’s final list.
19.Daniel Afriyie- Barnieh – Hearts of Oak , Ghana.
As the only home-based player in Otto Addo’s selection for the Brazil and Nicaragua friendlies last month , Barnieh is guaranteed a place in Ghana’s final World Cup squad.
20.Tariq Lamptey : Brighton and Holve Albion.
Has seen very limited playing time this season ; 194 minutes played out of possible 900 at Brighton so far but it appears Otto Addo will be taking the 22-year old to Qatar after he switched allegiance from England to Ghana.
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