Former Ghana Football Association vice-president George Afriyie has backed Otto Addo to make bold and merit-based decisions when assembling Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With fewer than four months remaining before Ghana kicks off its campaign against Panama in Toronto on June 17, debate has intensified over whether England-born players Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi should be included in the Black Stars squad.
The pair had previously declined opportunities to represent Ghana, opting instead to pursue international careers with England. However, both players have recently signaled a willingness to switch allegiance following Ghana’s qualification for the tournament.
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Ghana has been drawn in a tough Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, a lineup that has already sparked conversations about the strength and depth of the Black Stars squad.
Speaking to Graphic Sports, Afriyie insisted that national team selection should be guided strictly by performance and ability rather than sentiment.
“The Black Stars belong to every Ghanaian everywhere so long as he is a Ghanaian and a footballer in top shape, playing in the top league and qualifies to play for the Black Stars, I don’t see why he cannot be invited,” he said.
Afriyie emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for squad decisions rests with the head coach:
“If, in the wisdom of Otto Addo, looking at the squad depth now, the addition of these two players can make an impact and help Ghana at the World Cup, it depends on the coach.”
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He also pointed out that delayed commitments from dual-nationality players are not unusual, referencing the case of Iñaki Williams, who eventually chose to represent Ghana after initially declining several approaches.
“Yes, there was a time when we needed them, yet they were looking at England and all that, but ask why today Iñaki Williams is playing for the Black Stars at the tail end of his career when we started pursuing him long ago,” he said.
Afriyie revealed that earlier efforts were made to convince the striker to commit to Ghana:
“Kwesi Nyantakyi and I invited Iñaki’s father to the GFA boardroom, but it took Kurt Simeon-Okraku [current GFA president] years later to convince him to come. Ask why Iñaki’s junior brother [Nico] is playing for Spain and not Ghana.”
Regarding the timing of national team decisions, Afriyie believes both the player and the coach should ultimately determine when the opportunity is right.
“At any point in time, if the player feels that this is the time to play for Ghana, why not? If the coach thinks that Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi, both born in England to Ghanaian parents but previously represented England, merit a place in the Black Stars and they can help win matches, why not? Who decides who a Black Stars player is or who should be called?” he added.
Ghana will be making its fifth appearance at the global tournament and faces a demanding group stage schedule. After the opening match against Panama on June 17, the Black Stars will take on England on June 23 before concluding their group fixtures against Croatia on June 27.
Having suffered group-stage eliminations at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the four-time African champions are eager to progress further this time.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association has confirmed that Bryant University in the United States will serve as Ghana’s base camp throughout the tournament.
