Hudon-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah rejected the chance to play for Black Stars in the past
Two English players of Ghanaian descent, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah have been trending on social media following the Black Stars’ 5–0 thrashing of the Central African Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 22 points, followed by Madagascar with 19 points, while Mali and Comoros occupy third and fourth positions with 15 points each.
Ghana will face Comoros in their final group game at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
With the Black Stars on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup, reports have emerged that Eddie Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi are reconsidering their stance on representing Ghana.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Kofi Adams rallies Black Stars for ‘revenge’ clash against Comoros
It has been reported that the Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest attackers may be willing to switch their national allegiance from England to Ghana if approached.
However, this news has been met with strong criticism from a section of the public, who have warned the Ghana Football Association (GFA) against making any move to convince the players to join the national team.
Critics argue that since Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah previously declined the opportunity to represent Ghana, it would be unwise to invite them now, viewing it as a sign of disrespect to those who committed to the team during the qualifiers.
The fans called on the technical team to stick with the players who participated in the qualification campaign if Ghana secures a spot at the World Cup.
Others noted that since the duo were reluctant to switch allegiance earlier, they should wait for a call-up from the Three Lions of England.
As of now, both players have yet to officially announce their decision as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
Read the reactions below:
No, we don’t need him anymore. @GhanaBlackstars, @kurtokraku, and @ghanafaofficial shouldn’t even think about approaching him. Nketiah knew very well that he had little to no chance of becoming England’s main or second-choice striker, yet he still chose to represent them.
— PACHECO (@Pachecolart77) October 9, 2025
Hudson Odoi and Nketiah are not worth destroying our team harmony and chemistry for. We just need a hardworking midfielder to partner with Partey and we’re good.
— Manny Buck$ (@MannySteeze) October 10, 2025
He shouldn’t play. He didn’t qualify with them. They worked hard to qualify. If he wanted to represent the country, he should have done so. These sort of things we did in the past caused so many issues. Breaks the bond needed. Let him try to play for England
— Joe Darko (@joe_darko) October 9, 2025
For this I beg they shouldn’t switch
I beg waaaThey should wait for England to call them again
I beg waaaWhich two of our attackers should be sacrificed for them naaa no lye
— THE PRINCE OF ACCRA 🇬🇭 🤎 (@SackBontaleAFC) October 10, 2025
He can join after the World Cup, he didn’t take part in the struggle!
— BossmanG🇨🇦 (@BossmanGwap) October 9, 2025
What prevented him from playing the WC qualifiers
— Nii klint (@Niiklint) October 10, 2025
Nonsense commitment. We don’t need them. Make monkey work then baboon chop?
— FIVA™️ (@Fiiva01) October 10, 2025
We need him for what..if u put inaki and eddie on a scale who has more value..that one sef he no dey see top yet..we dont have problem forwards..its midfield..we need kofi kyereh and ashimeru profile to partner partey and maybe LB to give gideon headache and depth
— Life goes on (@Nyame_tumi_so) October 9, 2025
They shouldn’t worry england will call them soon, Ghana deɛ we don’t like them.
— kofi jnr (@DicksonBlay) October 10, 2025
None amongst these two is even a starter at their club side to talk of benching an attacker in our National team. We beg we’re good as we are
— Abigy (@AbigyNoah) October 10, 2025
Big games?
As we dey play qualifiers then eno be big game?
Make who qualify so say you go come play?
We get Semenyo, Iñaki then Jordan for there. Not forgetting Kudus Kamaldeen and co who are all better big game players than this man— CityzenBob (@cityzenbob09) October 10, 2025
They should stay away from the black stars, their inclusion will not yield anything positive. When we needed them most they refused to complied, who should work for them to chop are they super players 🤔 steeeeewww…smh
— Kwaku Duah (@KwakuDu77161285) October 10, 2025
Coach please we respect you waaa. Please shun this nonsense, we don’t need him for anything. Make he wait after world cup, then we call am make he come play qualifiers.
— Bob sem junior (@onyamey3santeni) October 9, 2025
SB/JE
Meanwhile, watch highlights of Ghana’s 5-0 win over Central African Republic in World Cup qualifiers
