{
  "id": 8245264,
  "title": "Ronald Donkor earns maiden Black Stars call-up",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ronald-donkor-earns-maiden-black-stars-call-up",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T12:48:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "3News",
    "slug": "3news",
    "url": "https://3news.com/sports/ronald-donkor-earns-maiden-black-stars-call-up"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ronald Donkor, a 21-year-old midfielder, has been called up to the Black Stars for the first time, following an outstanding 2026 season with New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. The Accra-born player is the only debutant in Carlos Queiroz's 24-man squad for Ghana's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Donkor's selection is a testament to his impressive form in the United States, where he has made 14 starts in the MLS, contributing four assists and scoring his first career goal against DC United. His exceptional performance earned him a spot in the MLS Team of the Matchday for the second time this season, with a total of eight goal contributions and six assists in 2026. Donkor joined New York Red Bulls in 2023 from Malian club Guidars FC, having developed at the JMG Football Academy in Mali. He made his MLS debut in May 2023 and has since become a regular starter. The Black Stars midfielder will join a midfield that includes Kwasi Sibo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Augustine Boakye, and Ibrahim Sulemana as Ghana begins their AFCON qualification campaign in October.",
  "summary": "Ronald Donkor has received his first senior Black Stars call-up after an impressive 2026 season with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "3News",
        "title": "Carlos Queiroz names 24-man Black Stars squad for AFCON qualifiers and Morocco friendly",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/carlos-queiroz-names-24-man-black-stars-squad-for-afcon-qualifiers",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:22:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "2027 AFCONQ: Mohammed Kudus returns as Carlos Queiroz names squad for Ivory Coast and Gambia games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/2027-afconq-mohammed-kudus-returns-as-carlos-queiroz-names-squad-for",
        "published": "2026-09-18T12:29:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "AFCON 2027Q: Ronald Donkor receives maiden Black Stars call-up for Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia and Morocco games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/afcon-2027q-ronald-donkor-receives-maiden-black-stars-call-up-for",
        "published": "2026-09-18T14:03:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}