The Ghana national football team, the Black Stars, will be led by assistant coach Desmond Offei in their international friendly against Mexico national football team on Friday in Puebla, after head coach Carlos Queiroz was ruled out due to personal reasons.

Offei has been in charge of the team’s preparations since the squad arrived in Mexico and will take full responsibility for the matchday leadership, supported by goalkeepers’ trainer Daniel Gaspar and set-piece coach/video analyst Gregory De Grauwe.

The fixture forms part of Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars have been drawn in Group F alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

Because the match falls outside the FIFA international window, Ghana is expected to field an experimental squad featuring local-based players, U23 prospects and several uncapped footballers as part of long-term team development.

Offei has described the encounter as an important opportunity for players to prove themselves ahead of the World Cup, stressing that it goes beyond a routine friendly.

He has also acknowledged the challenge posed by the hosts, noting that Mexico brings “great intensity and international experience” into the fixture.

Mexico, co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup, are also using the game as part of their final preparations for the tournament, making the encounter a key test for both sides.