World Cup: Ghana team profile

bet365 News Team Updated: Nov 18 2022 09:03 Published: Sep 21 2022 15:02

It is 12 years since Ghana's landmark run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, so a new generation of players will be aiming to make history themselves in Qatar.

The Black Stars will have a new-look squad after a raft of players have declared for the side and they are 11/1 to win Group H, while they are 250/1 to become the first African country to win the World Cup.

What	World Cup
Where	Qatar
When	20th November - 18th December 2022
How to watch	All matches will be shown on either the BBC or ITV
Odds	Brazil 9/2, England 11/2, France 6/1, Argentina 7/1, Spain 8/1

What is Ghana's World Cup record?

Ghana first qualified for the World Cup in 2006 when they finished second in a group containing Italy, the Czech Republic and the United States before they were beaten 3-0 by Brazil in the round of 16.

Next time out the Black Stars memorably reached the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where they were beaten in controversial circumstances by Uruguay.

A group stage exit in Brazil in 2014 followed before the West African nation failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Postion	Year
Quarter-finals	2010
Last-16	2006
Brazil	2014

How did Ghana qualify?

Ghana topped their World Cup qualifying group, getting the better of South Africa, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

The Black Stars then faced Nigeria in their play-off, which finished 1-1 over two legs, with Otto Addo's men shocking their more favoured opponents, progressing on away goals.

Before that, Ghana had put in a series of poor performances at the Africa Cup of Nations, taking just one point from their group games as they were knocked out by Comoros.

Who is in Ghana's group?

Ghana's group contains the team who beat them in such controversial circumstances in the 2010 quarter-final, Uruguay.

Addo's side will be out for revenge against the South American outfit while they also face Portugal and South Korea.

Ghana get their tournament underway against Portugal on 24th November. The two teams met in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, with the Iberians coming out on top 2-1.

The Black Stars then take on South Korea before rounding off their group games against Uruguay on 2nd December.

If Ghana win the group they will face the runners-up from Group G which features Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. A second-placed finish would see the Black Stars come up against the Group G winners in the round of 16.

Who is Ghana's manager?

Addo took over as head coach in February with former Newcastle and Brighton manager Chris Hughton serving as technical advisor.

Addo is a former Borussia Dortmund assistant coach who pulled off a major coup in qualifying for this tournament just a month after his permanent appointment.

Who is Ghana's star player?

Thomas Partey is a mainstay in Arsenal's midfield and provides energy and drive in the middle of the pitch for his nation. The 29-year-old has 40 caps and 13 goals for his country, a good return for a midfielder.

The Ayew brothers are also regulars in the side, Andre has the second-most caps and fifth-most goals for his nation while Jordan ranks eighth in both caps and goals.

Addo's squad has also been bolstered by a number of players declaring for the nation, including Mohammed Salisu, Tariq Lamptey and Inaki Williams.

Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi have also been rumoured to be making the move of declaring for the nation, adding further star quality to their ranks.

Related World Cup Group H News

World Cup - Football: Group H preview

World Cup - Football: Ghana team profile

World Cup - Football: Portugal team profile

World Cup - Football: South Korea team profile

World Cup - Football: Uruguay team profile

Who could be Ghana's breakout star?

At just 18 years old, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku already has 11 caps for Ghana and could be a breakout star out wide for his nation in Qatar.

The youngster got his start at Steadfast FC in the Ghanaian second tier, making his debut at just 15 years old.

From there, Issahaku had a spell at Dreams in the Ghanaian Premier League, scoring six goals in seven games, before signing for Portuguese side Sporting.

The attacking midfielder or winger has already played for their first team and at such a young age has already made a big impact in the footballing world. He could have a major say in how his side perform in Qatar.

What is Ghana's predicted line-up and tactics?

Ghana predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Joe Wollacott; Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Gideon Mensah; Thomas Partey, Iddrisu Baba; Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew; Inaki Williams.

Given the number of new players that will be lining up for Ghana in Qatar, it is hard to accurately predict their tactics before the World Cup.

Addo will have a number of new talents to fit into his side but if he sticks with the system he played during the World Cup play-off against Nigeria it will be a 4-2-3-1.

Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi would be obvious contenders for starting spots in the side if, as expected, they do declare for the side.

How far can Ghana go in Qatar?

Given their poor Africa Cup of Nations performance, Ghana's qualification for Qatar was something of a surprise but, with the additions to their squad, they do look more competitive than they did a few months ago.

The additions of Lamptey and Salisu add Premier League experience to their defence, where they had previously looked weak.

Youngsters such as Mohammed Kudus and Issahaku could have a big say and will be supplemented by Williams, who has scored 54 goals in 272 La Liga appearances.

If Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi also declare for the Black Stars, odds of 9/4 for them to qualify from the group may be of interest. South Korea look unlikely to mount a serious challenge and a slip-up from Uruguay or Portugal is not out of the question.

However it's unlikely that Addo's men will be able to replicate the efforts of their 2010 campaign and reach the quarter-finals.