{"id":5341,"date":"2026-06-08T12:56:49","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:56:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/storylinegh.com\/?p=5341"},"modified":"2026-06-08T12:56:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T12:56:49","slug":"ghanas-okraku-backs-black-stars-to-challenge-england-croatia-at-2026-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/storylinegh.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/ghanas-okraku-backs-black-stars-to-challenge-england-croatia-at-2026-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"GHANA’S\u00a0OKRAKU\u00a0BACKS BLACK STARS TO CHALLENGE ENGLAND, CROATIA AT 2026 WORLD CUP\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku believes the Black Stars can make an impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning against underestimating the nation’s chances at the expanded tournament.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghana qualified for the 48-team World Cup but drew a tough Group L with England, Croatia, and Panama. While many consider it one of the tournament’s hardest groups, Okraku remains confident the Black Stars can prove doubters wrong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an interview on the Delay Show, Okraku highlighted football’s unpredictability, noting that tournament history favors underdogs as much as favourites. He stressed that Ghana’s talented squad can compete with the world’s best and that preparations will strengthen their position ahead of the tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“I have seen bad teams win big tournaments and good teams lose them,” Okraku said. “You can never rule out any nation, Ghana included. We have a good team, and I want to win the World Cup. That’s why we’re doing everything possible.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okraku’s remarks reflect growing optimism within Ghanaian football circles about the current squad. The Black Stars have rebuilt in recent years, mixing experienced players with young talent who have impressed at club and international level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offers Ghana a fresh chance to add to its World Cup legacy. The four-time African champions last reached the quarterfinals in 2010. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While England and Croatia lead Group L’s favourites, Ghana’s supporters believe the Black Stars can upset the odds. With preparations underway and confidence building, Okraku’s ambition to challenge for the title reflects the determination surrounding the national team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku believes the Black Stars can make an impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning against underestimating the nation’s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":123462,"featured_media":5342,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,36],"tags":[117,276,277],"class_list":["post-5341","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-inside-ghana","category-sports","tag-black-stars","tag-kurt-okraku","tag-world-cup-2026","two-columns"],"yoast_head":"\nGHANA'S\u00a0OKRAKU\u00a0BACKS BLACK STARS TO CHALLENGE ENGLAND, CROATIA AT 2026 WORLD CUP\u00a0 - Storyline<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/storylinegh.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/ghanas-okraku-backs-black-stars-to-challenge-england-croatia-at-2026-world-cup\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"GHANA'S\u00a0OKRAKU\u00a0BACKS BLACK STARS TO CHALLENGE ENGLAND, CROATIA AT 2026 WORLD CUP\u00a0 - 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