Mohammed Kudus Withdraws from Ghana Squad Ahead of AFCON Qualifiers

Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, despite initially being named in Carlos Queiroz’s 24-man squad.

According to reports by 3Sports, Kudus has opted out of the upcoming international fixtures as he continues his recovery and works towards regaining full match fitness.

The 26-year-old was included in Queiroz’s squad on September 18 after recently returning to competitive action following a seven-month absence caused by a quad injury. The setback also ruled him out of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Kudus made his first appearance of the season as a substitute against Newcastle United on August 29. He subsequently came off the bench against Nottingham Forest and Everton before making his first start since January in Tottenham’s Carabao Cup clash with Liverpool.

He was also introduced at half-time during Tottenham’s 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. Kudus made an immediate impact, providing the assist for Conor Gallagher to score Spurs’ first Premier League goal of the season in the 86th minute.

The forward last featured for the Black Stars on October 12, 2025, scoring the decisive goal in Ghana’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Comoros.

Kudus’ decision to withdraw represents an absence for Queiroz as the Portuguese coach begins a new competitive cycle with the Black Stars following the 2026 World Cup.

Ghana are scheduled to open their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Côte d’Ivoire on September 24. The Black Stars will then host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 29 before travelling to Morocco for a friendly against the Atlas Lions on October 4.