Mohammed Kudus Suffers Injury Setback

Mohammed Kudus will not play in Ghana's FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Panama due to a quad injury. The 25-year-old forward suffered the injury in January and was expected to return in March, but a setback in his recovery has kept him out.

What happened to Mohammed Kudus?

Mohammed Kudus was initially expected to recover from his quad injury by March, but a setback has delayed his return to the pitch. He has not played a game since Thomas Frank was coaching Tottenham.

Why is Mohammed Kudus' absence significant?

Mohammed Kudus has played 46 times for Ghana, scoring 13 times and assisting six more goals, making his absence a significant blow to the team. In the last edition of the World Cup, he took centre stage with a brace against South Korea in their group-stage match.

What comes next for Ghana?

Coach Queiroz will rely on Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo and Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams in Mohammed Kudus' absence. Ghana is grouped with England, Croatia, and Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will look to replicate their 2010 quarterfinal run. The Black Stars have not gone beyond the group stage since 2010, and Mohammed Kudus' injury is a significant setback. Ghana opens its 2026 campaign against Panama at the Toronto Stadium in Canada on Wednesday, June 18, 2026. Mohammed Kudus' injury has been a long-term issue, with the forward suffering a quad injury in January and being expected to return in March, as of June 18, 2026.