English premiership side Chelsea has congratulated Christian Atsu for earning a call to be part of Ghana's provisional 26-man squad ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.

Coach Akwasi Appiah on Monday named the Chelsea winger who is on loan to Vitesse Anhem, as part of Ghana's initial squad for the tournament which begins on June 12, 2014.

The list of 26 players will be trimmed to 23 after the Black Stars have played the Netherlands in a friendly on 31 May.

The 22-year-old winger, who joined Chelsea in September from Porto, made his Ghana debut in June 2012 and has 21 caps and five goals to his name.

He spent this season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem where he made 28 appearances and netted five times.

Appiah also included a former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien in the squad.

Chelsea tweeted minutes after the announcement, commending Atsu for working hard to earn a place in the Ghana squad.

"Congratulations also go to Christian Atsu, who has been named in Ghana's World Cup squad!" the Club posted on its official twitter handle.

Ghana faces a tough group stage in Brazil, with games against Germany, Portugal and the USA.

The full 26-man squad is:

Adam Kwarasey, Fatau Dauda, Stephen Adams, Samuel Inkoom, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, Jeffrey Schlupp, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Rashid Sumaila, Jerry Akaminko, Michael Essien, Agyeman Badu, Sulley Muntari, Rabiu Mohammed, Kwadwo Asamoah, Afriyie Acquah, Christian Atsu, Albert Adomah, Andre Ayew, Wakasu Mubarak, David Accam, Asamoah Gyan, Kevin Prince Boateng, Majeed Waris, Jordan Ayew.