Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kurt Okraku has insisted that the Black Stars will not be treated as a second option for players in Europe with Ghanaian descent.
According to the GFA who led several unsuccessful attempts to convince some Ghanaian players born in Europe to play for the Black Stars, only players with genuine passion and commitment to Ghana will earn a place in the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The comments of Kurt Okraku comes on the back of reported interests from Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Francis Amuzu to play for the Black Stars after rejecting Ghana years ago.
Are you the coach? – Fans react to Kurt Okraku’s remarks on players who rejected Ghana
“I don’t want mercenaries coming to Ghana. I don’t want players jumping on board just because we’ve qualified for the Mundial.”
“I want players who love Ghana, who play from the heart, with passion, and are proud to represent the nation in every competition,” he said in an interview with TV3.
He emphasised that wearing the national colours is a privilege that comes with responsibility, insisting that players who once rejected invitations or showed a lack of respect for the country will not be reconsidered.
🇬🇭 GFA President Kurt Okraku says there will be no room for players who have rejected Ghana in the past, when it comes to new faces in the 2026 World Cup squad.#3Sports pic.twitter.com/J9xkOk4ATh
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) October 23, 2025
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Meanwhile, watch the latest Sports Check interview with Alex Kotey, the GFA Referees Manager below:
