Former Ghana international Derek Boateng has strongly advised against the inclusion of Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, questioning their commitment and timing in choosing to represent the Black Stars.
Speaking candidly on the issue, Boateng stated that he does not believe the England-born duo would add significant value to the current Black Stars setup.
“To be honest, I don’t think they will add anything significant to the team right now. We need to be very careful. The Black Stars is not a place for players to come and ‘try their luck’ when they realise they can’t play for England or other European countries,” Boateng said.
The former midfielder emphasized that international football goes beyond technical ability, highlighting passion, sacrifice, and loyalty to the national cause as key requirements.
“Football is not just about talent on paper; it’s about the heart. When we were playing, we gave everything for the jersey,” he added.
Boateng further questioned the timing of players switching allegiance at later stages of their careers, suggesting it undermines the spirit of national representation.
“You can’t wait until you are 24 or 25, after you’ve been rejected elsewhere, and then decide you are Ghanaian. If you want to play for Ghana, you should be proud to do it from the start,” he stressed.
According to Boateng, bringing in players who did not participate in the qualification journey could negatively affect team unity.
“Bringing them in now can even destroy the team chemistry because the players who fought through the qualifiers will feel disrespected,” he warned.
The comments have sparked renewed debate among Ghanaian football fans over dual-nationality players and whether late switches should be encouraged as Ghana prepares for the global stage in 2026.
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