Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has backed the potential inclusion of England-born duo Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that selection should be based on merit, not past involvement.
Speaking on Asempa FM, Adams stressed that whether or not a player featured during the qualifiers should not determine their chances of making the final squad.
“It doesn’t matter if the player was part of the team during the qualifiers or not. It doesn’t matter if the player has played before or not,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that he had personally assessed several players and believes some, including Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi, possess the quality to strengthen the national team ahead of the global tournament.
“I have watched some players, and I believe that they are good enough,” Adams continued.
However, he made it clear that the ultimate decision lies with the technical team and head coach.
“Despite their talent, the final selection of players like Eddie Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi remains with the technical team and the coach.”
His comments come in the wake of Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, prompting widespread debate over whether new faces should be integrated to boost the squad’s depth and experience on the world stage.
Both Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi are eligible to represent Ghana and have previously been linked with a switch of international allegiance.
With the final tournament less than two years away, Adams’ remarks signal the government’s support for assembling the strongest squad possible, regardless of previous appearances.
The Black Stars are expected to begin World Cup preparations in the coming months, with fans eagerly watching to see who makes the final cut.
