Laryea Kingston has thrown a note of caution into the heated debate over fresh faces in the Black Stars squad, insisting Ghana must pick their best players to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but not gamble recklessly on late additions or experiments that could derail months of preparation.

With the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico fast approaching, the clamour is growing for England-born duo Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah, along with other foreign-based stars of Ghanaian heritage, to be drafted into the squad.

But the former Black Stars midfielder is urging cool heads, insisting that what is most important is that "we assemble our best players".

"The World Cup is a top-level competition; so as a country, we need all our best players to compete well,” Kingston told the Daily Graphic in Accra last Saturday.

However, he was quick to stress that preparation — not sentiment — must drive selection.

“To avoid distractions, it will be very good to maintain players that the coach already knows rather than bring in new players so close to a major tournament,” he warned.

Currently the coach of the Uganda U-20 male team, Kingston emphasised selecting players a coach trusted and was familiar with, rather than for sentimental reasons. 

"Fielding players that you don’t know tends to be torture because you are not sure what the player can do, and the player may also not know what you expect from him.

“So it’s very tough. Yes, they are Ghanaians, but we have to look at the contributions to the qualification. It’s always good to have a group of players that you believe in, monitor their progress, ensure they are getting minutes at their clubs and hitting top form when they come into the national team,” he said.

Kingston, who missed Ghana's final squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, explained that the World Cup was the ultimate pressure cooker;  hence, for every team, cohesion and clarity could prove more valuable than star power.

Ghana have been drawn in a daunting Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars open their campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, before facing England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.

On paper, the clash with England and Croatia grabs the headlines. But Kingston believes it is Panama who could spring the surprise; hence, the need for Ghana to guard against complacency.

“My expectations are simple. Ghana has a lot of respect in Africa — our mindset is not to just go and participate. We are expected to go out there and do well, and I believe we will at least make it out of the group,” he said confidently.

“We know our opponents very well, apart from Panama. I think we are very much aware of England. A lot of people are writing off Panama, but for me, that’s the most important opponent.

“We see England and Croatia over and over again, playing every week. But the Panama team are players that we are unaware of. They will be a thorn in our flesh. I know most people see them as the underdogs, but I think they will be the most difficult match.”