Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has clarified his decision to keep Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi within Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad setup despite his omission from the official 26-man roster.
Agbasi, who was initially left out of the final squad submitted for the tournament, will remain with the team as a standby goalkeeper, effectively serving as a “player number 27” throughout the competition.
Queiroz explained that the arrangement is intended to provide emergency cover for the goalkeeping department while also supporting the player’s development through exposure to a World Cup environment.
Speaking on the decision, the Portuguese coach said Agbasi had willingly accepted the role and would continue training with the squad.
“We have the privilege to have another player who has accepted to be with us, be part of our team, be part of our training, and be ready if something happens in our goalkeeping department. So we have another player, who is player number 27,” he said.
He added that the move forms part of a broader development plan for young Ghanaian goalkeepers, allowing them to gain experience at the highest level of international football.
According to him, Agbasi is a talented young goalkeeper whose presence in camp will aid both his personal growth and the team’s preparedness.
Queiroz further noted that the standby arrangement ensures Ghana is protected against unforeseen injuries or emergencies during the tournament.
He said similar strategies have been used in previous World Cups, where teams included development players to strengthen squad depth and continuity.
“The second reason is to sustain the training and preparation of the team and cover the eventual situation of replacement, because if we are forced to make that decision, he will be ready to compete and be part of the team,” he explained.
Ghana’s official goalkeeping trio for the tournament includes Benjamin Asare, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, and Joseph Anang, with Agbasi remaining on standby as part of the extended technical setup.
