Black Stars to Face Japan and South Korea in Asian Friendlies Ahead of 2026 World Cup

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Oct 9, 2025

Exclusive: 🇬🇭 The Black Stars are set to face Japan and South Korea in two high-profile international friendlies in Asia next November, as part of their build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The matches are expected to provide head coach Otto Addo with a valuable opportunity to test his squad against top-tier Asian opposition, as Ghana continues to fine-tune its tactical setup ahead of the global showpiece.

Both Japan and South Korea have qualified for multiple World Cups in recent years and are known for their discipline, technical ability, and fast-paced style of play — qualities that will offer Ghana a strong challenge.

The games will also help the Black Stars maintain momentum following their successful qualification campaign, while allowing fringe players a chance to impress and stake a claim for inclusion in the final World Cup squad.

Venues, dates, and kickoff times for the matches are expected to be officially confirmed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in the coming weeks.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

View all posts