Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has called on Black Stars head coach Otto Addo to stick with a trusted core of players as Ghana gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With qualification already secured, debate has intensified over the possible inclusion of Ghanaian-born players in the diaspora who are yet to feature for the senior national team.
England-based forwards Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah are among the names frequently mentioned as potential additions ahead of the tournament.
But Kingston believes introducing fresh faces at this stage could unsettle the squad’s balance.
“To avoid distractions, it will be very good to maintain players that the coach already knows rather than bring in new players so close to a major tournament,” he told Granhic Sports.
The former winger, who now coaches Uganda’s junior national teams, warned that selecting unfamiliar players could create uncertainty within the technical setup.
“Fielding players that you don’t know can be difficult because you are not sure what the player can do, and the player may also not understand what you expect from him,” Kingston explained.
While acknowledging that players of Ghanaian heritage are always welcome, he stressed that those who contributed to the qualification campaign deserve strong consideration.
“It’s always good to have a group of players that you believe in, monitor their progress, ensure they are getting minutes at their clubs and are in top form when they come into the national team,” he added.
Ghana will make their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, the Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, before facing England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.
As part of their preparations, Ghana will play friendly matches against Austria and Germany in March, followed by a final warm-up game against Mexico in May. After early exits in 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars will be aiming for a stronger showing on football’s biggest stage.