By Collins Sarkodieh 
Coach Carlos Queiroz has selected six Ghana Premier League players in his 23-man squad for the international friendly against Mexico on May 22, 2026. This selection marks a strategic shift toward domestic talent integration as the Black Stars prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and upcoming Olympic qualifiers.
The local contingent features goalkeepers Solomon Agbasi (Hearts of Oak) and Gideon Aseako (Dreams FC), defenders Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Ebenezer Adade (Dreams FC), and Ebenezer Abban (Heart of Lions), along with midfielder Salim Adams (Medeama SC). By prioritizing these consistent performers, Queiroz is signaling that the door to the national team is wide open for those excelling in the domestic top flight.
For Ghanaian football fans, this is more than just a squad announcement; it is a validation of the Ghana Premier League’s quality. With several regular starters omitted from this window, these six players have a golden opportunity to cement their places in the squad before the World Cup journey begins in earnest.
Who are the six local players in Carlos Queiroz’s first Black Stars squad?
The local players chosen by Carlos Queiroz represent a mix of rising defensive talents and established midfield anchors from the Ghana Premier League. Goalkeepers Solomon Agbasi and Gideon Aseako provide fresh competition in post, while defenders Razak Simpson, Ebenezer Adade, and Ebenezer Abban bolster the backline alongside Medeama’s midfield dynamo, Salim Adams.
Solomon Agbasi has been a standout performer for Accra Hearts of Oak, showing the shot-stopping ability and leadership required for the international stage. Meanwhile, Dreams FC’s Gideon Aseako has earned his spot through remarkable consistency in both domestic and continental club competitions, proving that youth is no barrier to excellence.
In the defensive line, the return of Razak Simpson is particularly noteworthy. After a long absence, the Nations FC man brings a physical presence that Queiroz admires. He is joined by the energetic Ebenezer Adade and Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, both of whom have been instrumental in their clubs’ defensive records this season.
Why did Carlos Queiroz omit regular starters for the Mexico friendly?
Carlos Queiroz intentionally omitted several regular starters to create space for new faces and domestic stars to justify their inclusion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The coach’s primary objective for this Mexico trip is to test squad depth and identify “Plan B” options who can perform under high-pressure international conditions.
By resting established veterans, Queiroz avoids the risk of burnout while giving himself a clear view of the talent pool. This “audition” style of squad selection keeps the regulars on their toes and ensures that no player feels their spot in the World Cup roster is guaranteed regardless of form.
The Mexico game is a perfect laboratory for this experiment. Mexico plays a fast-paced, technically demanding style that will immediately expose whether these new call-ups can handle the speed of international football. Queiroz is essentially looking for “fighters” who can thrive when the usual stars are unavailable.
What makes Salim Adams a key addition to the midfield?
Salim Adams earns his spot following a series of powerhouse performances for Medeama SC, where his ability to break up play and transition into attack has been unmatched in the local league. He offers a physical profile that Carlos Queiroz traditionally favors in his midfield pivots: strong, disciplined, and capable of covering large distances.
Adams has been the heartbeat of the Medeama engine room, often dictating the tempo of games against high-pressing opponents. His inclusion suggests that Queiroz is looking for a more robust midfield presence to counter Mexico’s quick passing triangles in the middle of the park.
If Salim Adams can translate his domestic dominance to the international stage, he provides the Black Stars with a much-needed alternative to the European-based regulars. His success would also serve as a massive psychological boost for other local midfielders dreaming of a national team call-up.
Factual Insights into Ghana’s 2026 World Cup Preparation:
- Squad Composition: The 23-man squad is a blend of domestic league stars, European-based professionals, and U-23 players eligible for Olympic qualifiers.
- Domestic Representation: Six players from five different Ghana Premier League clubs have been included in this specific call-up.
- Goalkeeping Battle: With both Agbasi and Aseako called up, the domestic league is providing 100% of the backup goalkeeping options for this window.
- Return of Razak Simpson: Simpson’s inclusion marks his first major return to the senior national team after a prolonged period on the sidelines.
- The Mexico Challenge: The friendly takes place on Friday, May 22, 2026, in Mexico, serving as a high-altitude and high-intensity test for the squad.
- FIFA World Cup Context: This match is officially recognized as a critical buildup phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Olympic Synergy: By including U-23 players, Queiroz is helping the technical team prepare for the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers simultaneously.
How does the inclusion of U-23 players help the Black Stars?
Including U-23 players in the senior squad creates a seamless transition between the youth and senior levels, ensuring that the next generation is already familiar with the senior team’s tactical requirements. These younger players will soon represent Ghana in Olympic qualifiers, and this senior experience is the best possible preparation for those high-stakes games.
Carlos Queiroz is known for his holistic approach to coaching, often monitoring youth ranks as closely as senior professionals. By giving these youngsters minutes against a team like Mexico, he is fast-tracking their maturity and testing their psychological resilience.
This “dual-purpose” squad selection saves time and resources for the Ghana Football Association (GFA). It allows the senior coach to mentor the youth stars directly, ensuring that when they return to the U-23 camp, they carry the discipline and tactical awareness of the senior Black Stars environment.
What are the expectations for the defenders Ebenezer Adade and Ebenezer Abban?
Ebenezer Adade and Ebenezer Abban are expected to provide tactical flexibility in the full-back and wing-back positions, areas where Ghana has lacked consistent depth in recent years. Both players have shown exceptional “engine” capacity in the Ghana Premier League, frequently contributing to both defense and overlapping attacks.
For Adade, this call-up is a reward for his tactical intelligence at Dreams FC, where he has thrived in both back-four and back-five systems. Abban, representing Heart of Lions, brings a certain grit and “never-say-die” attitude that Queiroz values for tough away fixtures like the one in Mexico City.
The challenge for both “Ebenezers” will be the speed of the Mexican wingers. In the local league, they might have an extra second to recover; in Mexico, a single lapse in concentration could lead to a goal. Their performance will likely determine if Queiroz continues to look locally for defensive reinforcements.
Why is the timing of the Mexico friendly significant?
The May 22, 2026, date is significant because it falls just weeks before the primary World Cup preparation camps begin, making this the final “trial” for bubble players. A strong performance in this game could be the difference between a player going to the World Cup or watching it from home.
Furthermore, Mexico is a frequent host and participant in high-level tournaments, and playing them in their backyard provides the Black Stars with a taste of the atmosphere they will face in North America during the World Cup. It is an acclimatization exercise as much as it is a tactical one.
By scheduling this game now, the GFA has given Carlos Queiroz the perfect window to be bold with his selections. There is enough time to integrate these six local players without the immediate pressure of a competitive qualifier, yet the stakes remain high enough to demand their absolute best.
Also Read: Ghana Squad vs Mexico 2026: Analyzing Queiroz’s 23-Man Tactical Selection
Can the local goalkeepers Solomon Agbasi and Gideon Aseako displace the regulars?
While displacing the established number one is difficult, Agbasi and Aseako are in a prime position to secure the second and third choice spots for the World Cup. Their inclusion puts pressure on the foreign-based goalkeepers to maintain high standards or risk losing their places to these “hungry” domestic shot-stoppers.
Solomon Agbasi’s experience in the high-pressure environment of Hearts of Oak has prepared him for the scrutiny of the national team. Gideon Aseako, on the other hand, represents the long-term future of Ghanaian goalkeeping, having already tasted high-level competition with Dreams FC’s continental runs.
Queiroz has stated that he wants to “strengthen the team,” and competition in the goalkeeping department is the fastest way to do that. If either of these local keepers puts in a clean sheet performance against Mexico, it would be a massive statement for the quality of goalkeeping coaching within the Ghana Premier League.
A New Chapter for the Black Stars
The selection of six local players for the Mexico friendly is a refreshing vote of confidence in Ghanaian domestic football. Carlos Queiroz is clearly looking beyond the “usual names” to build a squad that is deep, competitive, and representative of all levels of Ghanaian talent.
Also Read: The Queiroz Era Begins: Carlos Queiroz Unveiled as Black Stars Head Coach in Accra
As the team prepares to fly out to Mexico on May 22, 2026, the focus will be on these six individuals to see if they can bridge the gap between local dominance and international success. Whether it’s the defensive reliability of Razak Simpson or the midfield engine of Salim Adams, the opportunity of a lifetime is now firmly in their hands.
If Carlos Queiroz finds success with this local-heavy squad, will it finally end the debate about the quality of the Ghana Premier League compared to foreign second-tier leagues?