Ghana head to Qatar looking to progress to the last 16 for the third time in World Cup history.
Presented with a challenging group, Otto Addo's side will need to cause an upset if they are to stand any chance of progressing.
The tournament will be Ghana's first in eight years, after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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Qualification Path
Due to their FIFA world ranking, Ghana received a bye into the second round of CAF World Cup qualification. In CAF Group G, they were met with Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and 2010 tournament hosts South Africa.
Both Ghana and South Africa finished the group with 13 points, as well as sharing the same goal difference. The Black Stars did pip Bafana Bafana to top spot, after scoring one goal more in their six matches.
Ghana would move on to face qualification favourites Nigeria in a two-legged play-odd tie.
The Super Eagles were held to a 0-0 draw in Kumasi, before Ghana would hold their opposition to a 1-1 draw away in Abuja. Addo's side would progress on away goals, reaching their first World Cup since 2014.
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Historical Performances
Ghana's first taste of World Cup football would come in 2006, reaching the Round of 16 in Germany. With two European opponents in their group, Ghana defied expectation to finish second in Group E, only behind eventual champions Italy.
Their first World Cup win would come in their second game. Ghana travelled to Cologne to face a promising Czech Republic side, needing a win to keep any hopes of progression alive.
Goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari sealed a 2-0 victory, moving Ghana level with their opponents in the group. A final day victory over the United States would send them into the next round.
Ghana would exit the competition in the next round, falling 3-0 to a star-studded Brazil side in Dortmund.
The Black Stars would go one step further in 2010, reaching the Quarter Finals in the first World Cup to be held on African soil.
Again, Ghana finished second in a tight group. Germany topped Group D with six points, while Ghana and Australia had to be separated by goal difference.
In the last 16, Ghana would face the United States in Rustenburg. As the game moved into extra time, Gyan's 93rd minute strike was enough to hand his side a 2-1 victory, setting up a clash with Uruguay in Johannesburg.
Their Quarter Final clash would go down in history for all the wrong reasons. As the tie moved into extra time with the score at 1-1, Dominic Adiyiah's goalward header was cleared off the line by the hand of Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan striker was dismissed, but Gyan's resulting penalty rattled the crossbar.
Uruguay went on to win 4-3 on penalties, stopping Ghana from becoming the first African side to reach a World Cup Semi Final.
Ghana could not match these efforts four years later in Brazil, crashing out of their group with just one point to their name.
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Player to watch
Mohammed Kudus had an impressive Champions League group stage campaign, with six goal involvements in his six appearances.
The 22-year-old already has nine Ajax goals to his name in the 2022/23 season, his most productive campaign to date in Amsterdam.
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Kudus does have the ability to play different roles in a front line or midfield, meaning he should fit into Addo's side no matter what system is deployed.
He made his Ghana debut in late 2019, with 18 caps and five goals to his name so far. Although his last international game came in June, Kudus did score in Ghana's two most recent competitive games, scoring against Madagascar and the Central African Republic.
Although there are more established names in the Ghana squad, Kudus is heading to Qatar in his best form so far. It would be no surprise to see Kudus impress this month, catching the eye of the many scouts in attendance.
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Expected Lineup
Heading into his first World Cup as coach, here is how we expect Addo's side to look:
Joseph Wollacott; Tariq Lamptey, Daniel Amartey, ,Moahmmed Salisu, Abdul Rahman Baba; Thomas Partey, Idrissu Baba; Abdul Issahaku, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew; Inaki Williams (4-2-3-1)
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Biggest Talking Point
A fairly simple question that every manager will have to answer in the coming weeks, but who will actually play?
In recent years, Ghana have unlocked a pool of players that gives great depth to their squad, but manager Addo may struggle to choose his first choice side.
As well as proven Premier League players such as Thomas Partey, Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew in the squad, Addo will have Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey at his disposal, with both now choosing to represent Ghana.
Addo is yet to name his 26-man squad that will be heading to Qatar, with many expecting the official list to be revealed on Monday 14th November.
As well as the personnel, Addo must settle on a system, with a 3-5-2, 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-3-2 being utilised in recent games.
A pre-tournament friendly against Switzerland on Thursday will give fans and pundits a greater idea as to how The Black Stars will set up in the tournament.
Although Ghana have avoided some huge names in the World Cup draw, they are arguably faced with one of the toughest groups in the tournament. Uruguay and Portugal will both want to top the group, while South Korea are more than capable of progressing.
Ghana start their World Cup campaign on November 24th, facing Portugal at Stadium 974. The European side are hoping to top Group H, with Cristiano Ronaldo having one last shot at world football's most lucrative trophy.
Four days later, the Black Stars head to the Education City Stadium to face a South Korea side, possibly without Heung-Min Son. There is no doubt that Ghana will be looking to take three points from this game, which is theoretically their least daunting challenge.
A final day clash with Uruguay seems written in the stars. After the controversy in South Africa in 2010, Ghana could have their hearts broken by the Latin American nation once again.
If Addo's side do progress, they will face either Brazil, Cameroon, Serbia or Switzerland in the Round of 16, although we feel this will be a step too far for the West African nation.