SportFootballEngland football teamEngland kick off their World Cup campaign in less than a month but their direct rivals are in a difficult spot heading into the tournament08:56, 27 May 2026England's group stage opponents Ghana have been dealt a huge blow just weeks before the start of World Cup 2026. Mohammed Kudus, one of the Black Stars' most exciting players, will play no part in the tournament.‌Kudus, 25, has 13 goals in 46 Ghana appearances and scored twice for his country at the last World Cup. He also delivered two goals and two assists in qualifying this time around but hasn't recovered from injury in time to earn a spot in Carlos Queiroz's squad.‌The winger joined Tottenham from West Ham last summer and had been a regular for his national team but hasn't played since January due to a hamstring injury. He suffered a setback when close to a recovery in the spring and Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi issued a worrying update in April.‌"Kudus, for this season, has gone," the Italian said in April. "I am sorry for him, first of all, because he is a good guy. Should be very important for us, but we lose time if we speak about the past."JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageREAD MORE: Thomas Partey in line to face England at World Cup despite facing rape chargesREAD MORE: BBC 'decide World Cup final presenter' as Mark Chapman snubbed after Gary Lineker exitThat absence will now stretch into the summer, with Queiroz naming a 28-man squad - which will come down to 26 for the start of the World Cup - without any place for Kudus. However, there is a spot for Ernest Nuamah, who returned for his club Lyon in May after a year out with a cruciate ligament tear.‌There is also Premier League and EFL interest in the Ghanaian group. Antoine Semenyo finished second in the competition with Manchester City this season and Coventry's Brandon Thomas-Asante will join him in the top-flight next term, while Leicester's Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu make the cut despite the Foxes' relegation to League One.‌Ghana are due to play England in their second group stage fixture, on June 23 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. They begin their campaign against Panama in Toronto and their third group game comes against Croatia in Philadelphia.Former Real Madrid boss Queiroz only took over as manager in April after the dismissal of Otto Addo. Former Borussia Dortmund Addo was in his second spell in charge and secured qualification for the World Cup but was dismissed after a pair of defeats in the March international break.While the African side will need to cut two players when they name their final squad, England have already announced their full group of 26. Kudus' Tottenham team-mate Djed Spence has made the cut but there is no place for colleagues Dominic Solanke and Conor Gallagher despite the pair both being called up by Thomas Tuchel in the past 12 months.Article continues belowGet the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌England football teamGhana football teamFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026