Tottenham Hotspur forward Mohammed Kudus has withdrawn from the Ghana national team squad for the opening matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, according to a report by 3Sports.
The decision removes one of the Black Stars’ most talented attackers at a critical moment as coach Carlos Queiroz prepares his side for two important Group fixtures.
Kudus, 26, had been named in Queiroz’s 24-man squad after returning to the national team fold following a lengthy injury absence that ruled him out of Ghana’s entire 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The Tottenham attacker spent approximately seven months on the sidelines before gradually working his way back into competitive football with his club. His recovery has been carefully managed, and he has only recently begun to feature regularly again.
At club level, Kudus made three substitute appearances for Tottenham before earning his first start since recovering from the injury in the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool. That outing marked a significant milestone in his rehabilitation, yet the player and club have continued to treat his fitness with caution. Tottenham head coach Roberto De Zerbi indicated earlier this month that Kudus was still building towards full match sharpness after such a prolonged spell out of action.
The Ghana Football Association formally confirmed Kudus’ inclusion in the squad on 18 September, listing him among several players returning to the Black Stars after missing the World Cup.
His presence was widely viewed as a boost for Queiroz, who had identified the dynamic forward as one of the key returnees capable of adding creativity, goal threat and experience to the attack.
Kudus’ withdrawal therefore represents a clear setback for the Portuguese coach as Ghana embarks on the road to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The Black Stars open their qualifying campaign away to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké on 24 September.
They then return home to host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on 29 September. After those two competitive fixtures, Ghana will travel to Morocco for an international friendly against the Atlas Lions on 4 October.
The timing of the withdrawal leaves Queiroz with limited time to adjust his plans. With the first qualifier only days away, the coaching staff must now reshape the attacking options and ensure the remaining squad members are fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
Côte d’Ivoire, as hosts of the match in Bouaké, will present a stern test, while the home fixture against The Gambia offers an opportunity to secure early points in front of supportive fans in Accra.
Kudus has established himself as one of Ghana’s most important players in recent years through his performances at both club and international level. His ability to operate across the forward line, combine effectively with teammates and produce decisive moments in big matches has made him a regular feature in national team selections whenever fit. Missing the World Cup was a major disappointment for both player and country, so his return to the squad had generated considerable optimism among supporters.
The decision to step away from these fixtures appears linked to the ongoing process of fully regaining match fitness after the long layoff. De Zerbi’s recent comments underline that Kudus is still progressing carefully rather than being rushed back into a demanding schedule of domestic and international matches. Club and country priorities often require careful balancing, particularly when a player is emerging from a significant injury.
For Ghana, the focus now shifts to the players who remain available. Queiroz will look to the rest of his attacking group to step up and deliver in the absence of Kudus.
The opening double-header against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia will set the early tone for the qualifying campaign, and positive results will be essential if the Black Stars are to maintain momentum towards the 2027 finals.
As the squad finalises preparations for the trip to Bouaké, the absence of one of its most dynamic forwards will be keenly felt. Nevertheless, the Black Stars must adapt quickly and approach the fixtures with the same determination that has characterised previous qualifying campaigns.
Kudus’ situation will continue to be monitored, with the hope that he can return to full fitness and feature for Ghana in future matches once both club and country are satisfied with his physical condition.
