Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku has drawn a firm line ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, warning that players who previously turned down invitations or disrespected the Black Stars will not be considered for selection.
Ghana’s qualification for the World Cup, secured after a decisive victory over Comoros, has revived long-running debates about the inclusion of foreign-born players with Ghanaian heritage. The discussion has intensified as stars such as Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Francis Amuzu signal their readiness to represent the country on football’s biggest stage.
But Okraku insists that only players who demonstrate genuine commitment to the national cause will make the cut.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us,” Okraku said in an interview with 3Sports. “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.”
Reaffirming his stance, Okraku said the final decision rests solely with him and will not be swayed by public opinion.
“As a leader, I don’t really care what anybody says. At the end of the day, the responsibility lies with me, and I am accountable for Ghana. If we have approached you before and you turned us down, if you’ve shown a lack of respect or declined to play for Ghana in the past, count yourself out. It’s not going to happen,” he stated.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C., where Ghana will discover its group-stage opponents.
Meanwhile, head coach Otto Addo will guide the team on an Asian tour in November, which includes friendly matches against Japan and South Korea as part of their World Cup preparations.
