Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku says players who have previously snubbed the Black Stars will not be considered for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that only those who show genuine commitment and respect to the national team will be selected.
The Black Stars sealed qualification for their fifth World Cup appearance after a decisive victory over Comoros, sparking renewed debate over whether to include foreign-born players who have recently declared availability for Ghana.
Among the names drawing public attention are Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Francis Amuzu, all of whom are now eligible and open to representing the country.
But Okraku has made his stance clear, saying that the national team must be reserved for players who are ready to serve wholeheartedly.
“Players who have not shown enough commitment to the Ghanaian flag will not be part of us,” Okraku told 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.”
He added that players who have previously rejected invitations to play for Ghana should not expect a recall.
“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.”
The GFA president emphasised that his decisions are guided by principle rather than popularity.
“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,” he said.
The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held on 5 December in Washington, where Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents.
Meanwhile, head coach Otto Addo is set to lead the Black Stars on an Asian tour next month, featuring friendly matches against Japan and South Korea as part of their build-up to the tournament.
