Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi says the Black Stars are fully prepared and focused on teamwork as they conclude preparations for their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Panama on Tuesday.

Speaking to the Ghana Football Association's official website from the team's training base at the D.C. United training ground in Virginia, the St. Gallen goalkeeper expressed confidence in the team's readiness ahead of the tournament.

Preparations and Readiness

Ati-Zigi described preparations as positive, stating that the players have trained well and are looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"It’s been a great experience. You can see all the guys are very ready and we’ve trained very well. We’ve given our best and we’re looking forward to this moment," he said.

Confidence in Coach Carlos Queiroz

The goalkeeper also spoke highly of Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, describing him as an experienced coach with valuable knowledge to share.

"He’s a very experienced coach. He has a lot of information. We just have to take the good information he gives us and try to make use of it. The expectation is teamwork. We’re going to fight to the end. We’re going to give it all and we hope that we’ll make Ghanaians proud," he stated.

Positive Team Spirit

On the atmosphere within the squad, Ati-Zigi said there is a strong sense of unity and positivity among the players.

"I think it’s really a good group. We’re all together. We fight for each other. You can see there’s really positive vibes each and every time. This is what we like and this is what we want to keep up. We want to take this positive energy into the games. We hope that we can have a very good World Cup," he said.

Living a Childhood Dream

The tournament marks Ati-Zigi's second consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance with Ghana. Reflecting on the achievement, he described it as the fulfilment of a childhood dream.

"As a kid, everyone dreams of playing on this big platform. For me, it’s actually a big dream because you get to face big players. You get the atmosphere, a lot of people in the stadium, the support, the love. It’s really a good experience for me and I’m really looking forward to it. I think it comes down to dedication to the game," he said.

Importance of a Winning Mentality

Ati-Zigi highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset throughout the tournament.

"They have to have a positive mindset because it gets to a point when things aren’t going well. I think that’s when we need this winning mentality and winning spirit. I think they just need this to help the team achieve better goals," he noted.

No Room for Nerves

Asked whether there were nerves ahead of Ghana's first game, the goalkeeper said the mood in camp reflects confidence rather than anxiety.

"Nervous? I don’t think that’s the word because I feel there’s good team spirit. This shows that everyone is ready and everyone is looking forward to it. Like I said, it’s a dream to be here so everyone is ready to live it," he said.

Teamwork as Ghana's Greatest Strength

According to Ati-Zigi, the team's greatest strength lies in its unity and willingness to work for one another.

"The strength is fighting for each other and being there as a team. Playing as a team and not just as individuals. The strength is you can see everyone is fighting for each other. We support each other and we help each other by encouraging the young ones to keep going and to always give their best. These are moments that happen in football where you have bad moments and sometimes you don’t qualify. For us, the biggest moment is now," he explained.

Focused on the Present

The goalkeeper said the squad has put previous disappointments behind them and is fully focused on the World Cup.

"We put whatever has happened behind us and we try to focus on this World Cup. Hopefully, we can make very good use of it. For me, it’s not about the names. Everything depends on us. We focus on ourselves and, like I said, we’re giving ourselves good energy. We train well and this is what we’re really focused on," he said.

Taking It One Game at a Time

Regarding Ghana's approach to the group stage, Ati-Zigi said the team intends to take each game as it comes.

"We’re just going to take it game by game. Hopefully, we analyse it and see how it goes. We know it hasn’t been easy in the past days, but we’re just going to give our all."

He also appealed to Ghanaians to continue supporting the team throughout the tournament.

"We’re asking for their support and their prayers, like always. They should also stay positive. Hopefully, we’re going to make them proud," he added.

Ghana will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Panama as the Black Stars seek a strong start to the tournament.