Major Setback for Ghana's Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexander Djiku's Injury Blow

Major Setback for Ghana's Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexander Djiku's Injury Blow The Black Stars of Ghana have encountered a significant setback as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that seasoned defender Alexander Djiku will unfortunately miss the tournament due to an injury. Djiku, who plays for Spartak Moscow, was originally named in Queiroz's 28-man provisional squad for the World Cup preparations. The injury was sustained during Spartak Moscow's Russian Cup final victory over FC Krasnodar, where Djiku was forced off the pitch before the team claimed the trophy via a penalty shootout. Upon arriving at the Black Stars' training camp in Cardiff, Djiku was unable to participate in full training sessions, which raised significant concerns about his fitness. Decision to Withdraw Djiku Following thorough medical evaluations, the Ghana Football Association and the technical team decided to withdraw Djiku from the World Cup squad. The decision aims to prevent any further aggravation of his injury, prioritizing his long-term health and recovery. Derrick Luckassen Called Up In response to Djiku's absence, the Ghanaian team has called up Derrick Luckassen, a defender based in Cyprus with Pafos FC. Luckassen's inclusion is part of Ghana's strategy to bolster their defensive options as they approach the global tournament. Ghana's World Cup Group and Schedule The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face formidable opponents. The group includes England, Croatia, and Panama. Ghana will kick off their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field. Following this, they will take on England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium and will conclude their group-stage matches against Croatia on June 27. Ghana, a four-time African champion, will need to adapt quickly to the absence of Djiku and rely on the strength and depth of their squad to navigate the challenges of the group stage.