Ghana will be the surprise package at 2026 World Cup – Former striker Asamoah Gyan

Former Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan has tipped the Black Stars as a potential dark horse at this year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana, making their fifth appearance at football’s showpiece event, will face Panama, England, and Croatia in Group L. Their standout World Cup performance remains the 2010 edition in South Africa, where they reached the quarterfinals for the first time.

Speaking to One Football, Gyan, Africa’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament, expressed confidence that the West African side could spring a surprise when the expanded competition begins.

He also predicted individual honours, naming Kylian Mbappé as the tournament’s top scorer.

“Ghana will be the dark horse of the tournament, and Kylian Mbappé will be the top scorer,” Gyan said, reflecting on his own World Cup experiences in 2006, 2010, and 2014 in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil.

The former striker also forecast a high-profile final between Argentina and Germany, backing Julian Nagelsmann’s squad to lift the trophy.

“Argentina and Germany are my picks for the World Cup final, and Germany to win,” he added.

Following group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars are keen to deliver an improved showing in 2026. Ghana opens its campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

As part of their World Cup preparations, the Black Stars face Austria at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium today, March 27, and will travel to Stuttgart, Germany, for another friendly on March 30.