In a bold move signaling a shift toward youth and fresh talent, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has omitted longtime captain Andre “Dede” Ayew from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Austria and Germany later this month.
The 36-year-old forward, who currently plays for Dutch club NAC Breda where he recently scored his first Eredivisie goal, has been a cornerstone of Ghana’s national team for over a decade. Ayew last featured for the Black Stars during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and has been excluded from recent call-ups, including the March 2024 friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda despite being named in the squad.
Addo’s latest 26-man squad, announced on Monday for the matches scheduled in Vienna (March 27) and Stuttgart (March 30), focuses on reshaping the team as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The list includes four debutants — defenders Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), and forward Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor) — alongside established stars such as Thomas Partey (Villareal), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City).
Notable absences include injured midfielder Mohammed Kudus and several other key players, with Ayew’s omission drawing particular attention given his leadership role and experience. The coach has kept the door open for the veteran in the past but appears to be prioritizing other attacking options in this transitional phase.
Ghana Football Association Communications Director Henry Asante Twum addressed the uncertainty surrounding Ayew’s long-term future, stating: “Nobody knows if Andre Ayew will go to the World Cup.” He emphasized that the final decision rests entirely with Addo and his technical team.
Ayew’s exclusion comes amid ongoing debate in Ghanaian football circles about whether the veteran — Ghana’s all-time leading scorer at major tournaments — still has a place in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Supporters argue his experience and leadership could stabilize a young dressing room, while critics point to his age and the need for a new generation.
The friendlies against European powerhouses Austria and Germany serve as crucial tests for the Black Stars, who are aiming to rebuild after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations — their first miss since 2004.
