The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has expressed strong confidence that the Black Stars can exceed expectations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup if the team is provided with the necessary motivation and structured incentives.

Ghana is set to compete in Group L during the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.

The Black Stars face a challenging group stage, coming up against Panama, England, and Croatia.

Despite low public expectations following recent tournament exits, the Effutu Member of Parliament insists that the squad possesses the inherent talent to make a significant impact in North America.

Speaking to TV3, Afenyo-Markin emphasised that historical success for Ghanaian teams has often been tied to the quality of preparation and the motivation provided to both players and the technical staff. He noted that when the right structures and incentives are in place, Ghanaian teams have a track record of surpassing what is expected of them.

Reflecting on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the Minority Leader recalled how close the nation came to a historic semi-final berth.

He cited the narrow quarter-final elimination by Uruguay, following Asamoah Gyan’s late penalty miss, as evidence of Ghana’s high ceiling on the global stage.

The Black Stars will launch their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, followed by a high-stakes encounter with England in Boston on June 23, and a final group game against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

In preparation for the tournament, the team, currently under the technical direction of Carlos Queiroz, is scheduled to play international friendlies against Mexico later this month and Wales on June 2.

After consecutive group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022, the 2026 tournament represents a critical opportunity for the Black Stars to reclaim their status as a powerhouse in international football.