Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has expressed disappointment over Inaki Williams' decision to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup. Okraku stated that the football governing body was taken aback by Williams' announcement, but acknowledged the physical challenges he had been facing. Williams, the captain of Athletic Bilbao, made the announcement following Ghana's campaign at the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Okraku revealed that he and the entire Football Association were disturbed by Williams' decision. However, he noted that understanding Williams' situation was crucial. According to Okraku, Williams had been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he was being managed. The GFA president emphasized that the association had to appreciate Williams' contributions to Ghanaian football.
Williams switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in July 2022, having made one senior appearance for Spain in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016. He received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022 under then-coach Otto Addo for pre-World Cup friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua. Williams made his Ghana debut on 23 September 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 defeat by Brazil in Le Havre, France.
Williams was subsequently named in Ghana's squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and featured in all three group-stage matches. Four years later, Williams was selected by Carlos Queiroz for Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign. He started Ghana's goalless draw against England and the Black Stars' Round of 32 defeat by Colombia, while remaining an unused substitute against Panama and Croatia.
The two tournaments took Williams' World Cup appearances for Ghana to five. Williams scored his first Black Stars goal in dramatic fashion in November 2023, heading home in the 96th minute to give Ghana a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier. He scored his second international goal against Chad in March 2025 during the same qualifying campaign.
Okraku urged critics to look beyond Williams' goalscoring record when assessing his contribution to Ghana. He emphasized that Williams' effort and dedication to the team should be appreciated. According to Okraku, Williams' parents spoke to him and the Football Association, and the association had to appreciate what he had done for Ghana.
Williams finishes his Ghana career with 28 appearances and two goals, having represented the Black Stars at two World Cups and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire. Okraku's sentiments reflect the association's appreciation for Williams' service to Ghanaian football, despite his retirement.
Key points
- The Ghana Football Association was disappointed by Inaki Williams' decision to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup.
- Williams finishes his Ghana career with 28 appearances and two goals.
- Okraku urged critics to appreciate Williams' effort and dedication to the team beyond his goalscoring record.
