By: Kwame Bediako
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has disclosed that he has pursued several foreign-born players to represent Ghana since 2021, but some ignored his calls or declined the opportunity.
Speaking after Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Addo warned that players who previously turned down the opportunity to represent Ghana should not expect automatic inclusion in the squad now.
“We will look at each case one by one. There are players I have been chasing since 2021, who didn’t reply to our calls or want to come. It’s a different thing if we haven’t approached you and now you want to come. But if we have been approaching you all the way and you said no, and now we are at the World Cup, so you want to come, that’s a different matter”; Addo told 3Sports,
His comments come amid speculation linking England-born Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah with possible switches to play for Ghana at the World Cup. Addo’s stance signals that previous commitment will be crucial in decisions about including players switching allegiance.
“Ghana should always have a certain pride. As a country, we need to check the commitment of each player. We have very good unity, and we don’t want to destroy it by bringing in players who don’t have commitment”; he added.
Ghana will discover their group opponents when the World Cup draw takes place on December 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. As preparations accelerate, Addo’s approach highlights the importance of loyalty and team cohesion ahead of the global tournament.
