Mohammed Kudus has returned to the Black Stars squad as head coach Carlos Queiroz names 24 players for Ghana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and a friendly against Morocco.

The squad marks the beginning of a new phase under Queiroz, who has combined established national team players with several emerging talents.

Ghana’s first assignment will be an away clash with Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on September 24, 2026.

The Black Stars will then host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium five days later before travelling to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.

Three goalkeepers have been selected for the assignments.

Benjamin Asare of Hearts of Oak, St. Gallen goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi and St Patrick’s Athletic’s Joseph Anang will compete for the goalkeeping role during the international window.

The defensive line includes Gideon Mensah, Baba Rahman, Jan Gyamerah, Derrick Luckassen, Nathaniel Adjei, Jerome Opoku, Kojo Oppong Peprah and Alexander Djiku.

Queiroz has also named five midfielders: Kwasi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, Ronald Donkor and Ibrahim Sulemana.

The forward line is led by captain Jordan Ayew and includes Christopher Bonsu Baah, Ernest Nuamah, Mohammed Kudus, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo, Ibrahim Osman and Prince Adu Kwabena.

Kudus’ return is one of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement.

The West Ham midfielder was unavailable for Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign after suffering an injury that kept him sidelined for seven months.

The GFA has confirmed that the midfielder has recovered and is now ready to return to international duty.

Nathaniel Adjei, Ibrahim Osman and Ibrahim Sulemana have also been recalled after their previous involvement with the national team.

There are also first-time opportunities for Jan Gyamerah and Ronald Donkor.

The GFA said their maiden Black Stars call-ups are recognition of their recent form at club level.

However, three players who featured in Ghana’s 2026 World Cup squad have been left out.

Thomas Partey, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Brandon Thomas-Asante will not be part of Queiroz’s squad for the upcoming fixtures.

Their absence creates room for other players to stake their claim as the Portuguese coach begins reshaping the team following his return to the Black Stars.

Queiroz was reappointed as Ghana’s head coach earlier this month after agreeing on a new mandate with the Ghana Football Association.

The upcoming fixtures will therefore offer him an immediate opportunity to implement his plans while preparing Ghana for the AFCON qualification campaign.

Ghana finds itself in Group C alongside Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia and Somalia.

The Black Stars will need to navigate the group successfully to secure a place at the 2027 continental tournament.

Under the qualification format, the top two teams in each group qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, with a special arrangement applying to groups that include the co-hosts.

The opening fixture against Côte d’Ivoire will be particularly significant as Ghana begins its campaign away from home.

The Black Stars will have little time to regroup after that encounter, with The Gambia arriving in Accra for the September 29 fixture.

The team will then travel to Morocco for the October 4 friendly, giving Queiroz another opportunity to assess his options against one of Africa’s leading national teams.

With Kudus back, two players receiving their first call-ups and several familiar names returning, the latest squad offers a mixture of continuity and change.

Queiroz will now turn his attention to preparing the team for the demanding schedule, beginning with the Group C opener against Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.