Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has already switched into World Cup mode, criss-crossing Europe to scout talent and reconnect with his key players as preparations quietly gather pace for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Although the tournament is still several months away and a provisional squad has yet to be named, Addo has wasted little time in putting his backroom team in place.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) last Friday confirmed a raft of strategic additions to the Black Stars’ technical setup, following consultations with the head coach and other key stakeholders.

One of the headline appointments is French tactician Alain Ravera, who joins the team as Assistant Coach. Ravera brings extensive international experience, having previously worked with the Guinea national team and French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.

He is joined by Kim Lars Björkegren, the highly rated head coach of the Black Queens. The Swede guided Ghana’s women’s team to a bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and has since led them to qualify for the 2026 WAFCON—a campaign he will continue to oversee alongside his new responsibilities with the Black Stars.

To deepen scouting reach and enhance performance analysis, the GFA has also brought in Spanish coach José Daniel Martínez Alfonso, currently an assistant coach and video analyst with Major League Soccer side Atlanta FC.

The medical department has been strengthened with the return of Carlos Lozano Romero, who previously worked with the Black Stars during Ghana’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign in Qatar. His reappointment brings continuity, deep familiarity with the team environment, and proven professionalism.

Completing the new technical additions is British-born Ghanaian performance specialist Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi, appointed Performance Coach. A long-serving support figure whenever called upon, his brief will centre on physical conditioning, player optimisation and overall performance enhancement throughout the World Cup cycle.

The GFA stressed that the appointments are strictly for the 2026 World Cup campaign, in line with long-standing tradition, which sees the Black Stars’ technical team expanded whenever Ghana qualifies for major international tournaments.

Early signs of that renewed focus are already visible. Ravera was spotted at the Baba Yara Stadium yesterday for the MTN FA Cup Round of 16 clash between Asante Kotoko and Aduana FC.

He was also in attendance when Nations FC defeated Swedru All Blacks last Saturday, while other members of the technical team monitored the Medeama v Samartex encounter in Tarkwa.

Otto Addo’s Technical Team:
Otto Addo – Head Coach
John Paintsil – Assistant Coach
Winfried Schäfer – Technical Advisor
Gregory De Grauwe – Head of Video Analysis
Desmond Ofei – Assistant Coach
Kris Perquy – Team Psychologist
Issah Amadou – Equipment Officer
Alhassan Abdul Rahman – Equipment Officer
Alain Ravera – Assistant Coach
Kim Lars Björkegren – Assistant Coach
José Daniel Martínez Alfonso – Assistant Coach & Video Analyst
Carlos Lozano Romero – Team Physiotherapist
Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi – Performance Coach
Dr Prince Pambo – Team Doctor
Bonsu Derrick Kwame – Athletic Performance Specialist
Fatawu Dauda – Goalkeepers’ Trainer
Ameenu Shardow – Team Administrator