Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has backed the Black Stars to progress beyond the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Ghana has been drawn into Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, as the team looks to improve upon group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.

“I think the team has the quality to make it out of the group phase. They were disappointing in the last World Cup in Qatar, and as a Ghanaian, the nation is also expecting the boys to do well,” Essien told talkSPORTS.

The former Chelsea midfielder highlighted the match against England as a key fixture. “Ghana playing against England is a game everyone is looking up to, so let's see what they can do, but they will have to take it game by game and make sure they win,” he said.

Essien added that reaching the knockout rounds should be the minimum target: “If they can make it out of the group stage and then go to the next stage, and if something happens, I am sure the nation will be happy, but I have high hopes for the team to perform.”

Ghana is currently preparing in the United States ahead of a final friendly against Jamaica on June 10. The Black Stars will open their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, play England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium, and face Croatia on June 27.