Mohammed Kudus scored twice at the 2022 World Cup and is now Ghana’s undisputed talisman. Here is the full breakdown of what he brings to the 2026 tournament.
When Ghana take to the pitch at the 2026 World Cup, every dangerous move will likely begin and end with Mohammed Kudus. The West Ham attacking midfielder has developed into one of the most exciting players in world football — versatile, explosive, and fearless on the biggest stage.
He announced himself to the world at the 2022 World Cup, scoring twice in three games and outperforming almost every player at the tournament on a per-minute basis. Now 24, he arrives at 2026 in the form of his life.
Mohammed Kudus Rahim was born in Accra, Ghana, and came through the youth system at Right to Dream Academy — the same pathway that has produced multiple Ghanaian European stars. He joined Ajax in 2020 and quickly established himself as one of the Eredivisie’s most dangerous attackers before earning a big-money move to West Ham United in 2023.
At West Ham, Kudus has thrived in the Premier League. His numbers — goals, assists, progressive carries, take-on success — place him among the top attacking midfielders in England’s top flight.
### Positional Versatility
Kudus can play as a right-sided forward, attacking central midfielder, or false nine. This versatility makes him incredibly difficult to defend against because opponents cannot settle into a fixed approach.
Ghana’s coach uses him in the right half-space, where he cuts inside onto his left foot — his strongest — to shoot or play through balls. He can also drop deep to collect the ball and drive forward, giving Ghana a progressive carrier when their build-up stalls.
### Explosive Acceleration and Dribbling
Kudus is one of the fastest players in his position when he gets the ball in space. His first three or four steps are electric, and he combines pace with tight ball control — a combination that gives him the ability to beat defenders in 1v1 situations even in small spaces.
His dribble completion rate and progressive carry numbers are among the highest for attacking players in the Premier League.
### Goalscoring Ability
Kudus is not just a creator — he is a finisher. His left foot produces powerful, accurate shots, and he is willing to shoot from distance as well as inside the box. His goals-per-shot ratio is strong, suggesting he is selective rather than wasteful.
At the 2022 World Cup he scored against South Korea and Portugal, demonstrating he can deliver against quality opposition.
### Work Rate and Pressing
Kudus presses aggressively without the ball. For Ghana, who rely on quick turnovers and transitions, his ability to win the ball high up the pitch is as valuable as his attacking output.
Ghana beat South Korea 3-2 in an extraordinary match at the 2022 World Cup. Kudus scored both of Ghana’s second-half goals — smart, composed finishes that showcased his ability to arrive late into the box and convert.
He also played well against Portugal in a defeat, holding his own against a superior team. His overall tournament performance earned him widespread recognition as Ghana’s standout player and one of the tournament’s most exciting young attackers.
In Group L — Ghana vs England, Croatia, and Panama — Kudus will be the focal point of everything Ghana do going forward.
Against England, he will look to exploit spaces in behind and cut inside from the right. Against Croatia’s ageing midfield, his energy and directness could be decisive. Against Panama, he should be in position to score and assist in what should be Ghana’s most comfortable group match.
Kudus to score at the tournament: Highly recommended. He scored twice in three games in 2022. With potentially four or five games in 2026 if Ghana advance, his scoring probability is high.
Kudus shots on target per game props: His shot volume and accuracy make him a strong candidate for shots-based prop markets. Look for these on specialist betting apps.
Kudus anytime scorer vs Panama: Ghana’s most winnable group game. Kudus should be heavily involved and is one of the most likely scorers in this fixture.
Ghana’s top scorer: Strong value if the price is right. Kudus is almost certain to lead Ghana’s attacking output throughout the tournament.
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