Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has admitted he cannot predict where the Black Stars will reach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that much depends on how new coach Carlos Queiroz addresses the team’s long-standing defensive issues.
Speaking on Sporty FM’s Sporty Drive, the ex-Udinese midfielder was candid about Ghana’s struggles in recent years. “I don’t want to put pressure on anyone. Our team, for the past years, we all know we have problems. The issue about our team is the defense,” he said.
Agyemang-Badu stressed that fixing the backline must be Queiroz’s first priority. “He needs to set the defensive lineup and let the boys gain their confidence back. Some of them, their confidence is a bit down.”
When asked about Ghana’s chances at the tournament in North America, the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalist was reluctant to make any bold predictions.
“For the World Cup, I have to be very frank; I don’t know where we will reach. Let’s see how he will build the team. The kind of players he will bring on board. The kind of identity we will have and the kind of defensive setup he will deploy. But from today, it will be very difficult for me to predict whether quarter-finals or semi-finals, whether we are going for the cup or evicted in the group stage. It will be very difficult for me.”
Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama and will open their campaign against Panama on June 17. Queiroz has already stated his immediate goal is to win that first match. For Agyemang-Badu, however, any talk of deeper progress must wait until the defense is sorted.
Source: Ghana Soccer Net
