This Ghanaian, with a past at PSV, played at the World Cup

In 2006, Ghana made its debut at the World Cup in Germany, and twenty years later, the African nation is active at the global finals for the fifth time. In 2010, Ghana experienced its best World Cup, with the quarterfinals being the end point after a tumultuous closing phase during extra time.

For Ghana, the former PSV defender Eric Addo, under contract with PSV from 1999 to 2009, was represented in the 2006 World Cup squad. During the debut of the Ghanaians at the World Cup, the country managed to surprise friend and foe by advancing to the next round.

After a 2-0 defeat against the eventual world champion Italy, the Ghanaians beat the Czech Republic 0-2 and the United States 2-1, where the then PSV player DaMarcus Beasley was part of Team USA’s squad. As a result, Ghana managed to advance directly to the next round during their World Cup debut.

In the second round, the African country played against the reigning world champions of that moment, Brazil. The Brazilians, with among others former PSV striker Ronaldo, had no trouble with Ghana and won 3-0, allowing the Ghanaians to take their bags.

Twenty years later, Ghana takes part in the World Cup for the fifth time and, once again, there is a defender with a PSV background active in the selection of the African country. No less than million-flop Derrick Luckassen, contracted with PSV from 2017 to 2022, has traveled with Ghana to North America to represent the African country on the biggest global stage.

Ghana plays in Group L against England, Panama and the Croatia of current PSV player Ivan Perisic. In the previous World Cups where Ghana was active (2014 and 2022), the group stage was the end point.