Derrick Kohn: German Born Defender Included in Ghana’s 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Squad
- Ghana has drafted a German-born versatile player into the squad for next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers
- The youngster previously featured for Germany at the youth level before committing to the Black Stars
- He could make his senior debut on September 4 when Ghana takes on Chad in a Group I clash
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German-born defender Derrick Arthur Kohn has finally earned his maiden call-up to Ghana’s senior national team.
The 26-year-old was named in Otto Addo’s 24-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, marking a significant step in his career.
Source: Twitter
Derrick Kohn: Meet the German-born defender named in Otto Addo's squad
Kohn has long been on the radar of Ghana’s technical team, and his consistent performances in Germany have made it impossible to ignore him any longer.
Last season, he enjoyed a breakthrough campaign while on loan at Werder Bremen, featuring in 30 matches across all competitions, scoring twice, and adding two assists.
His strong showing convinced Union Berlin to secure his services permanently from Galatasaray during the summer transfer window.
The Hamburg-born fullback has already debuted for the capital club, coming off the bench in their 2–1 victory against Stuttgart.
Although naturally a left-back, Kohn’s adaptability allows him to slot in further up the pitch.
At Bremen, he was frequently deployed as a left-sided midfielder, adding another dimension to his game, according to data culled from Transfermarkt.
This flexibility is expected to boost Otto Addo’s options as Ghana continues its search for consistency in the troublesome left-back position.
Source: Getty Images
With Gideon Mensah often occupying that role and Ebenezer Annan providing backup when fit, Kohn’s arrival adds much-needed competition and depth.
Derrick Kohn joins list of German-born players who opted to represent Ghana
Kohn now joins a list of German-born players who have pledged their international futures to Ghana in recent years.
Stefan Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeiffer, and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh all took similar paths, while Kevin-Prince Boateng remains the most famous example after his standout performances at the 2010 World Cup.
Otto Addo's 24-man squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Coach Otto Addo’s squad for the double-header against Chad and Mali features a blend of regulars and new faces.
Established names like Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, and Gideon Mensah are all included, as noted by Ghanafa.org.
There are also notable returns and fresh opportunities. Winger Kamaldeen Sulemana, now at Atalanta, is back after a promising start in Italy.
Below is the full Black Stars squad
Elisha Owusu has recovered from a long-term injury to reclaim his spot, while Caleb Yirenkyi of FC Nordsjaelland is rewarded for his bright displays at the Unity Cup in London.
Defender Tariq Lamptey makes his comeback, with Christopher Bonsu Baah and goalkeeper Joseph Anang also handed places in the squad.
Ghana's road to the 2026 World Cup
Ghana currently sits top of Group I with 15 points, boasting five wins from six matches.
With momentum on their side, the Black Stars will be looking to tighten their grip on qualification when they face Chad and Mali in September.
For Kohn, the upcoming fixtures could mark the beginning of a promising chapter in national colours.
John Mensah confident of early Black Stars World Cup qualification
In a previous report, YEN.com.gh highlighted John Mensah’s conviction that Ghana could seal qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as early as next month.
The ex-Black Stars skipper emphasised that consistency will be the decisive factor in securing a spot at the global showpiece.
Source: YEN.com.gh
