Veteran Ghanaian forward André Ayew has reportedly been excluded from Ghana’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple reports circulating across Ghanaian sports media platforms.
The 36-year-old forward, who remains Ghana’s most capped player, has not featured for the Black Stars since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Reports indicate that head coach Carlos Queiroz decided not to include Ayew in either the provisional squad list or the final team expected to represent Ghana at the tournament.
End of an Era for the Black Stars?
Ayew has been one of Ghana’s most experienced and influential footballers over the past decade, captaining the national team through multiple major international tournaments including AFCON and FIFA World Cup competitions.
His reported omission is being viewed by many football fans as a possible sign of a new era for the Black Stars as the coaching staff focuses on younger players ahead of the global tournament.
Despite his absence from recent national team activities, some supporters and football analysts had continued pushing for his return because of his leadership qualities and international experience.
Recent Club Spell in the Netherlands
The former Swansea City and West Ham United player recently featured for Dutch side NAC Breda after spending several months without a club.
During his short spell with the Eredivisie side, Ayew made 16 appearances and scored once while helping the club during the season.
Although his performances reignited discussions about a possible Black Stars comeback, recent reports suggest it was not enough to secure a place in Ghana’s World Cup plans.
Ghana Drawn Into Tough World Cup Group
Ghana has been placed in Group L for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside:
England
Croatia
Panama
The Black Stars will be hoping to make a strong impression as they prepare for another appearance on football’s biggest stage.