Reacting to last Friday’s World Cup draw, which placed Ghana in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama, Baffoe admitted that the group was a difficult one but insisted the Black Stars could still advance if the team approached the tournament with unity and proper planning.

“You cannot choose your opponents—wishes are not horses,” the former Bundesliga defender told Graphic Sports in an exclusive interview.

“The group is a strong one, but we can still progress to the next stage,” he said Baffoe stressed that Ghana must not rely solely on individual brilliance, despite boasting several top-class Europe-based players. Instead, he urged the team to prioritise cohesion and resilience.

“It’s not about individuals; it’s always about the team,” he said. “If the right players are put together, then certainly, we’ll go somewhere. We should not be intimidated by names—at this level, if we want to go further, we must be ready to play any team.”

He expressed confidence in the Black Stars and their technical handlers, noting that Ghana’s experience from previous tournaments—four appearances already—should guide their preparations for their fifth World Cup appearance.

“We have to be ready to take every opponent,” he added. “I believe in Ghana and will always believe in Ghana. Hopefully, we can do better than we did in Qatar and qualify for the next round. I wish the boys and the entire team the best of luck.”
 

Baffoe further highlighted Ghana’s strong performance during the qualifiers, where the Black Stars topped their group, as evidence of their growing experience and potential.

“We showed it in the qualifiers when we finished top,” he said. “There is experience from previous World Cups, and we must look at all the details—technical team, players, GFA management—to get the best out of the squad and prepare them well.”

Meanwhile, former Black Stars defender Isaac Vorsah, who featured at the 2010 World Cup, shared similar sentiments.

Vorsah acknowledged the increased competitiveness in global football but remained optimistic about Ghana’s chances.

“There are no minnows in football anymore, so it’s going to be difficult,” Vorsah said. “But we can go through. They just need to be committed to themselves, and if they do that, they will go forward.”

Both former internationals agree that while the road ahead may be tough, Ghana has the quality—and the experience—to make a strong impression at the 2026 World Cup if the team adopts the right approach.