By Kwame Bediako
Los Angeles Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has openly hit back at former Black Stars coach Otto Addo, slamming the decision to omit him from Ghana’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad as unclear and unjustifiable. In an interview with VamosNetwork, Paintsil reflected on the omission that stunned many fans, saying he never received a concrete or convincing explanation for being left out of the 26‑man squad for Qatar.
Why Paintsil feels hard done by
Paintsil, who was in strong club form for Genk at the time, described his exclusion as deeply disappointing and insisted there was “no tangible, reasonable thing” that explained why he was dropped. He emphasized that he did not believe there was any miscommunication, but felt the decision had already been made about him personally, rather than being based on his performances, injuries, or discipline.
Addo’s explanation and Paintsil’s reaction
According to Paintsil, Addo’s only explanation at the time was that “football is not about goals and assists,” and later that the main issue was his defending, with the coach saying he did not defend enough. The LA Galaxy star said he found this reasoning unsatisfactory and left him feeling “really disappointed,” arguing that he had repeatedly reached the World Cup discussion stage only to be pushed aside without a clear football‑based justification.
From 2022 snub to 2026 rebuilding
The 2022 omission remains a sore subject for Paintsil, even as he has since become a key figure for LA Galaxy and helped the club win the 2024 MLS Cup. Addo led Ghana to qualification for the 2026 World Cup but was recently sacked and replaced by Carlos Queiroz, with Ghana now drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama.
What this means for the Black Stars setup
Paintsil’s comments renew debate over Addo’s player‑selection culture, particularly around big tournaments, while also highlighting the emotional toll such decisions can have on players. As Queiroz builds his own Black Stars project, how he balances merit, form, and squad chemistry, especially with an in‑form winger like Paintsil still available, will be watched closely by players, fans, and the wider Ghanaian football public.
