Former Ghana international Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has urged Ghanaians to rally behind the Black Stars technical team as preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that with just months to go, criticism will not help the nation's cause.
Ghana secured qualification for what will be their fifth World Cup appearance after earning one of Africa's nine automatic slots for the expanded 48-team tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In a move to strengthen the backroom staff ahead of the global showpiece, the Ghana Football Association last week bolstered the technical team with five experienced professionals.
French coach Alain Ravera and Black Queens handler Kim Lars Bjorkegren have joined as assistant coaches, while Spanish tactician Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso has been added to enhance scouting and match analysis.
Carlos Lozano Romero returns as physiotherapist, having previously worked with the Black Stars during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while British-born Ghanaian performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi completes the new-look technical setup.
Speaking on the developments, Agyemang-Badu appealed to the Ghanaian public to trust the FA's judgement and refrain from negativity during this critical period.
"The Ghana FA knows the nature of the meetings they held with the coaches and management, as well as the kind of reinforcement needed in the technical team. If they have decided to strengthen the technical team, we have to support them," he said.
"With a few months left to the World Cup, this is not the time to criticise the expansion. As Ghanaians, we need to be patient and back the team."
Ghana has been drawn in Group L for the 2026 tournament, where they will face European powerhouse England, 2018 finalists Croatia, and Panama. The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before taking on England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
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