The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) has confirmed that its annual pre-season tournament will once again be contested by the top four finishers from the previous Ghana Premier League campaign.

League winners Medeama will be joined by runners-up Bibiani Gold Stars, third-placed Hearts of Oak and fourth-placed Dreams FC in the build-up to the 2026/27 season.

The qualification criteria mean Nations FC, despite securing a place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup, will not participate after finishing outside the league's top four. Record Ghana Premier League champions Asante Kotoko are also absent following an eighth-place finish in the 2025/26 campaign.

GHALCA Administrative Manager Nana Oduro Nyarko said the competition's regulations leave no room for exceptions.

"Participation will be limited to the clubs that finished first to fourth in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League. As a result, Nations FC, despite qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup, will not take part because they did not finish in the league's top four," he told Akoma FM.

The GHALCA Top Four has become a key fixture on Ghana's football calendar, providing clubs with competitive preparation before the domestic season begins.

For Medeama, the tournament offers an opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of their CAF Champions League campaign after reclaiming the Ghana Premier League title. Hearts of Oak, Gold Stars and Dreams FC will also use the competition to assess their squads before the new season gets underway.

While Nations FC will instead turn their attention to continental football, Asante Kotoko's absence underlines the disappointing nature of last season, with the 24-time league champions missing out after finishing eighth in the standings.

The dates, fixtures and venue for this year's GHALCA Top Four tournament are expected to be announced in due course.