As the clock ticks down to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the debate over the composition of the Black Stars squad has intensified. Amidst calls for youth and renewal, a powerful voice has injected a compelling case for experience.
Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), has publicly advocated for the inclusion of veteran forward Andre “Dede” Ayew in Ghana’s final World Cup squad. In a passionate submission that goes beyond mere sentiment, Ankrah laid out a statistical and leadership-based argument, urging the technical handlers to recognize that the team’s struggles require a specific remedy—and Ayew is it.
The Case for the “Most Experienced Outfield Player”
Speaking on the state of the national team, Ankrah was adamant that Ayew’s credentials are unmatched in the current setup. While acknowledging that senior players like Jordan Ayew and Thomas Partey have struggled for consistency this season, the NSA boss argued that the 36-year-old brings a specific profile that no other player can offer.
“If Andre Dede Ayew is fit, he should be included in the Black Stars squad for the World Cup because he is Ghana’s most experienced outfield player,” Ankrah stated emphatically.
He argued that the upcoming World Cup is not just about fielding players at their physical peak. “All our senior players have not been consistent this season,” Ankrah noted. “It’s not really about the fact that they’re going to be playing at their peak. Rather, it is about giving the younger players guidance and their experience. At this World Cup, every team needs that.”
The Undeniable Stats: A Goal Scorer for the Big Stage
Ankrah highlighted specific statistical achievements that separate Ayew from his peers, suggesting that the NAC Breda forward has a knack for rising to the occasion on the global stage.
· A Record-Setting Scorer: The NSA Director-General pointed out that Ayew has scored in every single World Cup tournament he has participated in. Statistics confirm that he found the net in Brazil 2014 (scoring twice against the United States and Portugal) and added another crucial goal against South Korea in Qatar 2022. This makes him a rare asset for a team that has sometimes struggled for clinical finishing.
· The U-20 Pedigree: Ankrah reminded Ghanaians of Ayew’s long-standing history with FIFA tournaments. “He is the only player who has played in the Under-20 World Cup and won it,” he said. Although Ayew lost the final match itself, he captained the historic 2009 Black Satellites team that beat Brazil on penalties in Cairo to become the first—and still only—African nation to win the U-20 World Cup.
More Than a Player: The “Off the Pitch” Captain
The NSA boss stressed that Ayew’s potential return is less about revolutionizing his on-field play and more about stabilizing the dressing room. With a squad projected to feature several young talents making their senior World Cup debut, the value of a veteran who has handled the pressure of the knockouts is immeasurable.
“Hopefully, he will become a leader in the World Cup and he will be playing at the end of the season. He will be considered in the dressing room—his leadership behind the scenes,” Ankrah explained. “We need that experience on and off the pitch.”
Ankrah clarified that this is not a call for a nostalgic comeback but a strategic squad rotation. While acknowledging that younger players like Mohammed Kudus are the future, he argued that dumping every experienced head overboard would be a disservice to the team’s chances in North America.
Currently, Andre Ayew is battling to regain full fitness at Dutch side NAC Breda after joining them in January. With Ghana drawn into a tough Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, the final squad announcement looms large. If Ankrah’s advice is heeded, Dede Ayew will be boarding the plane to the 2026 World Cup—not as a starter guaranteed, but as the sage general Ghana needs in the trenches.
