Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has called for inclusivity in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, rejecting arguments that dual nationals who didn’t feature in the qualifiers should be excluded.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Vanderpuye argued that birthplace should never determine a player’s eligibility, pointing to several Ghanaian stars who were born abroad but went on to serve the nation with distinction.
“Even Jordan [Ayew] and Dede [Ayew]… they were not born here. They were born outside the country,” he said. “They had the opportunity and they came to play for us; Anthony Baffoe the same. Accident of birth should not prevent someone from enjoying portraying his Ghanaianess.”
He urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and fans to prioritise talent and commitment over birthplace, saying that embracing all eligible players strengthens the national team.
Vanderpuye’s comments come amid reports linking Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah, and AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro with potential call-ups ahead of next year’s World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States Ghana’s fifth appearance on football’s biggest stage.
