Ghana Black Stars to play four games before 2026 World Cup
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Okraku, has revealed that the Black Stars are set to play a total of four different international friendly matches to intensify its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking via GTV Sports Plus, Okraku revealed that the Black Stars will play four matches before the start of the global showpiece, beginning with a high-profile friendly against Austria later in March.
Austria will host Ghana on Friday, March 27, 2026, at the iconic Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 GMT. The match forms part of the two nations’ build-up to the World Cup, which will be staged in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in June.
Both Ghana and Austria have already secured qualification for the tournament, making the encounter a valuable test between two sides aiming to fine-tune their squads ahead of the competition.
The friendly against Austria is one of two matches lined up for the Black Stars during the March international window.
Ghana will follow up with another heavyweight clash against Germany on Monday, March 30, 2026, as the technical team looks to expose the squad to elite opposition and different tactical approaches before the World Cup kicks off.
At the 2026 tournament, Ghana has been drawn into Group I alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, an intriguing and challenging group that will demand tactical discipline and mental strength.
Austria, on the other hand, will compete in Group J, where they face reigning world champions Argentina, as well as Algeria and Jordan.
These friendly matches are expected to play a crucial role in shaping Ghana’s final World Cup squad, allowing the coaching staff to assess player form, build cohesion, and test strategic options against top-level opponents.
With four games scheduled before the tournament, the Black Stars are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to make a strong impression on football’s biggest stage.
As anticipation builds, Ghanaian fans will be hoping these preparations translate into a confident and competitive showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
