Black Stars ready for World Cup opener, says goalkeeper Ati-Zigi

Ghana's Black Stars are primed and united for their 2026 FIFA World Cup debut against Panama, according to goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Speaking from the team's training base in Virginia, Ati-Zigi conveyed a strong sense of readiness and collective focus.

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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.

"You can see all the guys are very ready and we’ve trained very well," Ati-Zigi told ghanafa.org. "We’ve given our best and we’re looking forward to this moment." He praised the experience and guidance of coach Carlos Queiroz, noting the team's emphasis on teamwork and fighting spirit. "We’re going to fight to the end. We’re going to give it all and we hope that we’ll make Ghanaians proud."

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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.

The St. Gallen shot-stopper described the team's atmosphere as positive, with players supporting each other. "We fight for each other. You can see there’s really positive vibes each and every time," he said. Ati-Zigi, set to play in his second World Cup, called it a "big dream" to compete on such a platform, facing top players and experiencing the immense atmosphere and support.

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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 stressed the importance of a positive mindset and a winning spirit, especially during challenging moments. "I think that’s when we need this winning mentality and winning spirit," Ati-Zigi stated. He dismissed nerves ahead of the first match, attributing the team's strength to their unity and mutual encouragement. "The strength is fighting for each other and being there as a team. Playing as a team and not just as individuals."

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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.