2026 World Cup: We have a higher chance to qualify for the next round, says LA Galaxy forward Joseph Paintsil

Black StarsLA Galaxyforward Joseph Paintsil beleives the Black Stars have enough quality to ensure they qualify for the next round of the upcoming 2026 World Cup.The four-time African champions, after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON secured a ticket to play at the world stage for the fifth time.Ghana have been drawn alongside Panama, England and Croatia in Group L for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.After early exits in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 tournament in Qatar, Paintsil beleives they have the quality to secure qualification to the next round."We have good players and a higher chance of qualifying for the next round if we do well. It all depends on the players and management coming together as a team to deliver for the country," he told Citi Sports."Sometimes you don't have to talk about it; you have to know that this is the job we have to do, we have to give everything we have for Ghanaians and for the badge," he added.The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, face England on June 23 in Boston, and close the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.