Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has admitted that the organisation was deeply unsettled by Iñaki Williams' decision to step away from international football following Ghana's participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Williams announced his retirement from the Black Stars after Ghana's campaign at the global showpiece, bringing an end to his four-year international career. Okraku confirmed that the decision had not been easy to accept, saying that he and the entire Football Association were disturbed by the news.
Okraku disclosed that Williams had been managing persistent pain and injuries throughout his playing time, a situation his club, Athletic Bilbao, had also been carefully monitoring. The GFA president revealed that Williams had been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he was being managed. This, Okraku added, had taken a toll on Williams, making his retirement a necessary decision.
Despite the disappointment, Okraku said that a family conversation helped bring perspective to the situation. He revealed that Williams' parents had spoken to him and the Football Association, and they had to appreciate what Williams had done for Ghana as a country. Okraku urged Ghanaians to honour Williams' record rather than scrutinise it, saying that they had to appreciate his effort.
Iñaki Williams switched his international allegiance to Ghana in July 2022, having made one prior senior appearance for Spain in a 2016 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. He received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022 under then-head coach Otto Addo and made his Ghana debut on 23 September 2022 against Brazil.
Williams went on to represent Ghana at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, featuring in all three group-stage matches, and later appeared at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire before earning selection for the 2026 tournament. At the 2026 World Cup, Williams started Ghana's goalless draw against England and their Round of 32 defeat by Colombia.
Williams finished his Black Stars career with 28 appearances and two goals, per Transfermarkt. His two international goals both came in qualifying: a dramatic 96th-minute header against Madagascar in November 2023 and a second strike against Chad in March 2025.
Veteran sports journalist Kwabena Yeboah had earlier opened up about Williams' struggles with the Black Stars, saying that the striker often made attacking runs that his teammates failed to spot, leaving him frustrated. Okraku's reaction to Williams' retirement has brought closure to the issue, with the GFA president urging Ghanaians to appreciate Williams' contributions to the team.
Key points
- Iñaki Williams retired from the Black Stars due to persistent pain and injuries.
- GFA president Kurt Okraku admitted that the organisation was disturbed by Williams' decision.
- Williams finished his Black Stars career with 28 appearances and two goals.
