Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro is a goalkeeper for AZ Alkmaar
Dutch-born Ghanaian goalkeeper, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro has resurfaced in social media conversations due to past comments he made about the Black Stars following the team’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In March 2025, the AZ Alkmaar shot-stopper ruled out playing for Ghana, stating that his priority was to help the Netherlands U-21 side qualify for the European Championships.
The comment did not sit well with some Ghanaians, who felt the player had disrespected the country given its situation at the time.
This discussion has re-emerged after news broke that several foreign-born players of Ghanaian descent are now willing to switch their national allegiance to play for the Black Stars and potentially participate in the World Cup.
Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro’s name has been mentioned as one of the players born to Ghanaian parents in Europe who now wants to play for the Black Stars after the team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read the original story as published by GhanaWeb on March 14, 2025 below.
AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro dismisses talks of playing for Ghana
Dutch-born Ghanaian goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro dismissed suggestions of representing the Black Stars, stating that his focus lies elsewhere.
The 20-year-old, whose father is Ghanaian, is eligible to play for Ghana.
He was in goal for AZ Alkmaar’s Round of 16 match against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, March 13, 2025, but endured a tough night, conceding three goals in a 3-1 defeat that saw his team exit the competition.
Despite the disappointing loss, he took the time for an interview with UK-based Ghanaian journalist Rahman Osman.
When asked about the possibility of playing for Ghana, Owusu-Oduro revealed that representing the Black Stars is not a priority for him at the moment.
“Not now. I have to focus on playing with the U21 (Netherlands) so we can qualify for the European Championship. My focus is here. I see it as a possibility in the future, but it’s not my priority,” he said.
Owusu-Oduro also expressed his admiration for Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, and Ghana’s all-time leading goal scorer, Asamoah Gyan.
“I watched the Ayew brothers, Asamoah Gyan, and a few other players with my dad,” he added.
The young goalkeeper has made 19 appearances for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, keeping two clean sheets in his last five games.
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Meanwhile, watch highlights of Ghana’s 1-0 win over Comoros in the World Cup qualifiers
