Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has declared that only players who have demonstrated full commitment and respect for the national team will be considered for selection ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking in an interview, Mr. Okraku stated that he would not entertain any attempts to include foreign-born players who had previously declined invitations or shown disinterest in representing Ghana.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us,” he stressed. “There must be a good reason why a player is included in the travelling party. I want players who display high levels of dedication, passion, and respect for Ghana.”
Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a decisive victory over Comoros, has revived national discussions on whether the Black Stars should accommodate diaspora players who have recently expressed interest in joining the squad.
Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Francis Amuzu are among the names linked with potential inclusion, having now made themselves available for selection.
However, Mr. Okraku made it clear that past refusals to play for the national team would not be easily overlooked.
“If we have approached you before and you turned us down, if you have shown a lack of respect or declined to play for Ghana in the past, count yourself out. It’s not going to happen,” he asserted.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for December 5 in Washington, where Ghana will discover its group-stage opponents.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Otto Addo is expected to lead the Black Stars on an Asian tour in November, featuring friendly matches against Japan and South Korea as part of preparations for the global tournament.
