Ghana lose Kudus to injury ahead of World Cup clash with England in June

Mohammed Kudus has been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup after Ghana manager Carlos Queiroz named a 28-man squad without the Tottenham winger, who has not played since January due to a persistent hamstring injury. The 25-year-old’s absence removes one of the Black Stars’ most dangerous attacking threats ahead of their Group B campaign, which includes a second fixture against England on June 23 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Kudus has scored 13 goals in 46 appearances for Ghana and netted twice at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He also contributed two goals and two assists during qualifying for this tournament, but a hamstring problem suffered earlier in the season was compounded by a setback in spring that ended any realistic hope of recovery in time.

Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi effectively confirmed the news in April. “Kudus, for this season, has gone,” the Italian said. “I am sorry for him, first of all, because he is a good guy. Should be very important for us, but we lose time if we speak about the past.”

Despite the loss of Kudus, Queiroz’s squad retains considerable Premier League representation. Antoine Semenyo, who finished the domestic season as a Manchester City player, is included, as is Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, who will join the top flight next season. Leicester’s Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu also make the cut despite the Foxes’ relegation to League One, and Ernest Nuamah earns a place after returning for Lyon in May following a year out with a cruciate ligament injury.

Queiroz only took charge of the Black Stars in April, following the dismissal of Otto Addo after back-to-back defeats in the March international break. Addo had secured Ghana’s qualification for the tournament during his second spell in charge.

The squad will be trimmed to 26 players before the tournament begins. Ghana open their campaign against Panama in Toronto before facing England, then conclude the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia.

England, meanwhile, have already confirmed their 26-man group. Kudus’s Tottenham club-mate Djed Spence is included, though Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher — both called up by Thomas Tuchel at points over the past 12 months — did not make the final cut.