Ghana

Ghana's Black Stars were the dominant force in African football through the 1960s and 1980s, winning four Africa Cup of Nations titles, and they remain the last African team to reach a World Cup semi-final — denied by Luis Suárez's infamous handball in the 2010 quarter-final against Uruguay. Despite fading from their continental heights, the Black Stars continue to be one of Africa's most recognisable and widely followed football brands.

Ghana's football roots predate independence: the national team as Gold Coast beat Nigeria in 1950, and after the country became Ghana in 1957 the Black Stars swiftly announced themselves on the continental stage. Under legendary coach C. K. Gyamfi they won back-to-back AFCON titles in 1963 and 1965, adding further crowns in 1978 and 1982 to establish themselves as the tournament's joint most successful side behind Egypt.

A long fallow period followed through the late 1980s and 1990s, but Ghana re-emerged as a major force in the 2000s, qualifying for their first FIFA World Cup in 2006. At South Africa 2010 they became the last African side to reach a quarter-final at a World Cup, with their run ending only when Luis Suárez's goal-line handball denied Dominic Adiyiah in extra time, leading to a penalty miss and eventual shoot-out defeat to Uruguay.

The years since 2010 have brought AFCON final defeats in 2010 and 2015 but no title, leaving Ghana searching for a fifth continental crown. With Jordan Ayew now captaining the side and Carlos Queiroz installed as head coach, Ghana head into the 2026 World Cup seeking to recapture the form that once made them West Africa's standard-bearers.