World Cup 2026: Solomon Agbasi Added to Black Stars Squad as Emergency Goalkeeper

Ghana’s World Cup preparations have taken a notable turn with the addition of Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi to the Black Stars squad as a 27th player. Head coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed the decision on Monday night, framing the move as both a tactical safeguard and an investment in the future of Ghanaian goalkeeping.

Agbasi, who has been training with the senior national team since 25 May, will travel with the squad to the United States as an emergency goalkeeping option. Under FIFA regulations, teams participating in the World Cup may carry a fourth or fifth goalkeeper beyond the standard 26-man roster. However, such players must either officially replace one of the three registered keepers or be treated as a standby option in the event of injury or illness during the tournament.

“The goalkeeper department in a short tournament is very sensitive,” Queiroz explained. “When the World Cup starts, football stops. Nobody is training. If we need to replace a goalkeeper and call one who isn’t in good shape, it’s a problem.”

The Portuguese coach also highlighted the developmental dimension of the decision. “First, it’s part of our development programme for Ghanaian goalkeepers. He’s young with fantastic qualities. We have eyes on the future. Second, it sustains our training and covers us for an eventual emergency,” Queiroz said.

The inclusion of Agbasi comes at the end of a squad-building process that has seen Queiroz make several adjustments to his original provisional selection. The final 26-man squad was announced recently, with the coach trimming two players while making one enforced change due to injury. Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo had earlier joined the camp in Wales, bringing the squad count to 25 before the final announcement.

Ghana’s path through the tournament will not be easy. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama — a pool that demands both physical resilience and tactical discipline from the opening match.

Before departing for the United States, Ghana will face Wales in a friendly match at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 6:45 PM. The fixture represents the final opportunity for Queiroz to test his combinations and settle on his preferred starting eleven ahead of the tournament’s opening fixtures.

For Agbasi, the call-up marks a significant milestone in a career that has been on an upward trajectory at Hearts of Oak. Whether or not he sees minutes on the pitch in North America, the experience of training alongside established internationals and preparing for the world’s biggest football tournament will serve as invaluable preparation for what the coaching staff clearly believe will be a long international future.

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