Ghana are in negotiations with Wales over a possible international friendly as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sports Minister Kofi Adams has revealed.

Speaking about the Black Stars’ pre-tournament plans, he said discussions are ongoing to add Wales to a growing list of friendly opponents ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“We have planned to have four of such matches. In March, we will have two. On the 27th, we will be playing Austria and on the 30th, we will play Germany. We are in negotiations with Wales to also play against their national and then we will have another against Mexico [on May 22],” he said.

The Minister explained that the friendly matches will form part of the team’s FIFA training camp activities.

“The FIFA camp, you would be engaged in some activities, including friendly matches that you organise. And so, the pre-tournament, per the estimates, we are utilising $1,230,465 converted to cedis, is GH¢13,063,723.90. This will finance the friendly matches,” Mr Adams stated.

He added that the Mexico fixture will offer an opportunity to assess fringe players who may not feature in high-ranking competitive friendlies.

“The Mexico game will not be played by fully active players. We want to use the Mexico one to try players who will not have the opportunity to play in the competitive friendly that FIFA use to rank teams.

"We want to give them opportunity for them to play during the Mexico one to check them and mark them appropriately just in case you would have to have some substitutions,” he explained.

Mr Adams also indicated that a fifth friendly could be arranged while the team is in the United States, although no agreement has yet been reached.

“If things work out well, while in the US, we will play a 5th [friendly match], but we are still working on that one. We haven't reached any decision yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, FIFA will give the GFA $1.5m to prepare for the tournament.

Ghana is in Group L with Panama, England and Croatia.

The Black Stars will base camp in Bryant University.