Otto Addo Emphasizes Commitment as Ghana Weighs Foreign-Born Player Inclusions for 2026 World Cup
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has addressed growing speculation linking several foreign-born players with potential nationality switches to join Ghana’s squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that players such as Eddie Nketiah of Crystal Palace and Callum Hudson-Odoi of Nottingham Forest could be reconsidering their international futures with a view to representing Ghana at the global showpiece.
However, in an exclusive conversation with Joy Sports, Addo struck a measured tone, warning that commitment and team chemistry would take precedence over reputation or past affiliations.
“What I know is that the core of the squad will remain. They have earned it,” Addo stated.
“There are players we’ve been chasing since 2021 who rejected us. We need to check the commitment so we don’t destroy the unity.”
The Black Stars boss made it clear that while discussions could be held on a case-by-case basis, players who previously declined to represent Ghana may find it difficult to walk back into the team now that the side has qualified for the World Cup.
“It’s going to be difficult for players who rejected us in the past. We as Ghanaians need to have some national pride,” he emphasized.
Addo’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment within the national setup about maintaining the sense of loyalty and togetherness that defined Ghana’s successful qualification campaign.
The Black Stars topped Group I in the African qualifiers, securing their fifth World Cup appearance with a 1–0 win over Comoros in Accra.
Ghana will discover their group-stage opponents when the World Cup draw takes place on December 5, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
