Ghana’s Black Challenge have begun preparations for the 2026 World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF) World Cup, with 20 players named in a provisional squad for the national team camp.

The global tournament is scheduled to take place in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico, from November 13 to 22, 2026, with 24 nations expected to compete for the world title.

In a release dated September 21, the Ghana Paralympic Committee announced a provisional list comprising three goalkeepers and 17 outfield players, with the squad featuring players from clubs and development programmes in Ghana as well as Türkiye.

The final World Cup squad will be selected at a later stage.

Ghana head into the competition with an impressive record on the African continent.

The Black Challenge captured the African amputee football title in Tanzania in 2021 after edging Liberia 3–2 in the final.

Two years later, they added another major honour by winning gold at the inaugural African Para Games in Accra in 2023, defeating Morocco 2–1 in the final.

Ghana maintained their continental dominance in Cairo in 2024, once again beating Morocco 2–1 to successfully defend their African title.

That victory also earned Ghana qualification for the 2026 WAFF World Cup, securing their passage to Mexico through their performance on the pitch.

The goalkeeping department will feature Razak Seidu of Asanteman AFC, Atsu Abor of Global AFC and Richmond Fosu of Talent Hour Discovery.

Asanteman AFC also provides three outfield players in Isaac Kwabena Eshun, Issah Jabel and Amidu Rafiu.

Gye Nyame AFC has three representatives in Timothy Hayford, Prince Nyarko and Emmanuel Osei Kwadwo, while Joseph Baidoo has been named from Our Hope AFC.

The squad also includes a strong contingent playing in Türkiye.

Sahinbey players Yussif Yahaya, Richard Arthur Opentil, Mohammed Mubarik and Hamza Mohammed have all received call-ups.

Richard Ekwam, Samson Larbi Sarfo and Fuseini Iddi are listed as players from Konya, while Emmanuel Allotey represents Sisli Yeditepe.

Joseph Amoh and Collins Gyamfi complete the provisional outfield squad. Both have been identified as local players, although their respective clubs were not stated in the release.

The selection highlights the growing pathway between Ghanaian clubs, development programmes and opportunities for amputee footballers competing overseas.

For the players, the camp provides an opportunity to impress the technical team and secure a place in the final squad for Mexico.

For the coaching staff, the immediate challenge will be to build a competitive team capable of translating Ghana’s strong continental record onto the global stage.

The Ghana Paralympic Committee has appealed to Ghanaians, corporate organisations and stakeholders within the sporting community to support the Black Challenge as preparations intensify.

Ghana’s recent success provides a strong foundation for that campaign, with the team having secured major honours in Tanzania, Accra and Cairo.

The Black Challenge will now look to carry that momentum into Mexico, where they will face some of the world’s leading amputee football nations in their quest for global glory.