The Black Stars of Ghana have officially opened camp in Cardiff as preparations intensify for next week’s international friendly against Wales ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A total of 13 players took part in the team’s first training session at Dragon Park on Monday, with the remaining members of the squad expected to arrive on Tuesday.

Among the players present were Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Jordan Ayew, Caleb Yirenkyi, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Elisha Owusu, Gideon Mensah, Marvin Senaya, Jerome Opoku, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Anang, Solomon Agbasi, and Alidu Seidu.

The Black Stars are scheduled to spend a week in Cardiff before taking on Wales in an international friendly on Tuesday, June 2. Following the match, the team will travel to the United States to continue preparations for the World Cup tournament.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz is expected to use the Wales encounter to evaluate his squad before confirming Ghana’s final roster for the global competition. Per FIFA regulations, the final 26-man squad must be submitted by Monday, June 1.

Ghana will head into the tournament aiming to make a strong impact in what will be their fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia.

Their campaign begins against Panama at BMO Field in Toronto on June 17 before a highly anticipated clash with England in Boston on June 23. Ghana will conclude their group-stage fixtures against Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 27.

Having suffered group-stage exits in both the 2014 and 2022 editions, the Black Stars will be eager to end their recent World Cup disappointments and secure a place in the knockout stages for the first time since their historic run to the quarter-finals in 2010.