{
  "id": 5521916,
  "title": "‘More scouting could have changed World Cup squad’ – Kurt Okraku on Black Stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/more-scouting-could-have-changed-world-cup-squad-kurt-okraku-on-black",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T07:36:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/more-scouting-could-have-changed-world-cup-squad-kurt-okraku-on-black-stars/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's Football Association President Kurt Okraku has suggested that a longer scouting process could have altered the Black Stars' World Cup lineup. The team, who progressed to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, were eliminated in the Round of 32 following a 1-0 loss to Colombia. During an interview with 3Sports, Okraku argued that head coach Carlos Queiroz might have opted for different players if he had more time to evaluate Ghanaian talent and grasp the strengths of the national squad. He emphasized the significance of technical ability, such as dribbling, passing, and ball control, in Ghana's traditional playing style. According to Okraku, these skills could excite fans and break down defenses, but the approach taken in the World Cup might have restricted the attacking potential of the Ghanaian team. \"These kinds of qualities are the ones that will unlock defenders and allow attacking machinery to be very effective,\" Okraku stated. He acknowledged that coaches are entitled to select players that align with their tactical philosophy. However, he noted that discussions over Queiroz's approach may have been different if Ghana had advanced further in the tournament. \"I'm sure if we had won against Colombia, if we had gone to the next stage, and maybe in the semifinals, this wouldn't be a topic. We'll say that he played dirty, but won the games for us.\" Okraku ultimately recognized the unpredictable nature of football, stating that results often dictate how tactical decisions are perceived.",
  "summary": "Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku believes a longer scouting period could have influenced the composition of the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Black Stars, who made their fifth appearance at the Mundial, reached the knockout stage for the first time since 2010 but were eliminated in the Round […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}