By OkayGoal 
Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has expressed hope that newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will select Ghana’s best players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, Croatia, and England, setting up an exciting but challenging path for the four-time African champions.
Speaking to VamosNetwork, Paintsil emphasized his commitment to representing Ghana, saying his focus is always on making his country proud.
“I always need to respect the national team call-up. I’m playing for the people of Ghana, not for an individual person,” Paintsil said. “I’m doing it for Ghanaians to know my worth and that I can deliver whenever I get the chance.”
The 26-year-old also voiced optimism that Queiroz â who previously managed Colombia, Iran, and Egypt â will make fair and merit-based selections for the tournament.
“We are just hoping and praying that the new coach will do the needful â to take the best players to the World Cup, to perform, and to make Ghanaians proud,” he added.
Queiroz took over the Black Stars earlier this week following the dismissal of Otto Addo after a run of poor results.
Paintsil had previously criticised Addo for leaving him out of Ghana’s 2022 World Cup squad, but his recent comments suggest a renewed sense of optimism under the new technical leadership.