Joseph Paintsil Opens Up on Qatar World Cup Snub
LA Galaxy winger Joseph Paintsil has revisited his omission from Ghana’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, expressing frustration over what he believes was an unjustified decision by former Black Stars coach Otto Addo.
Paintsil, who was in fine form at the time with KAA Gent, revealed that he struggled to understand why his performances were overlooked despite enjoying a productive season in Europe.
In an interview with VamosNetwork, the winger admitted the decision left him disappointed, particularly due to what he described as a lack of clear reasoning from the technical team.
“I was disappointed with the decision of the coach of the national team. There was no tangible, reasonable thing for me to be excluded from the list,” Paintsil said.
He suggested that the decision may have been predetermined, rather than based strictly on merit or current form.
“There was no miscommunication, but I think they already planned it. It wasn’t about my performance. The only answer he [Otto Addo] gave is that football is not about goals and assists.”
Paintsil further disclosed that his defensive contribution was cited as the main concern, though he remained unconvinced by the explanation.
“He told me that there is no reason, but the only reason is that I don’t defend. There was no tangible explanation, and I was left behind, really disappointed,” he added
His absence from the squad generated significant debate at the time, with many questioning the selection choices as Ghana exited the tournament at the group stage in Qatar.
Since then, the Black Stars have secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with experienced coach Carlos Queiroz now tasked with leading the team into the global competition.
