Queiroz held a press conference before Ghana’s friendly against Wales in Cardiff but did not name the squad as had been expected. It was released just before FIFA's deadline.

The veteran Portuguese coach did confirm to reporters that centre back Alexander Djiku had been injured in training over the weekend and replaced by Dutch-born Derrick Luckassen.

Ghana had already been hit by the absence of Mohammed Kudus after he failed to recover from a thigh injury in a major blow to the country's World Cup hopes.

The key midfielder's recovery in time for next week's start of the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States had been a long shot after injury to a quad muscle in January and subsequent surgery.

Mohammed Salisu also missed out after the Monaco centre back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a Ligue 1 clash in January.

But the squad did see a return after a three-year absence for 31 year-old Baba Abdul Rahman. The former Chelsea fullback was in the 2022 World Cup squad but has featured in only one international for Ghana since.

The Black Stars face Panama on 17 June in Toronto in their opening Group L encounter before taking on England and Croatia.