Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has spoken out strongly against the potential inclusion of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah in the Black Stars’ squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting their call-up would be unfair and damaging to team harmony.
Speaking on Sporty FM, Boateng argued that players who were not involved in Ghana’s qualification campaign should not be introduced at the final stage of preparation, stressing that commitment during the difficult journey to the tournament must be respected.
“They should not invite them. Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah, no,” Boateng stated. “I don’t think it’s fair. It’s not fair to the rest of the players who were there from the beginning.”
To reinforce his stance, the former Black Stars midfielder recalled a past experience involving Kevin-Prince Boateng during his own time with the national team.
“We went through AFCON qualifiers in tough conditions, bad pitches, and Kevin-Prince Boateng didn’t show up,” he explained. “But when we had a game in England, he came to the hotel. The players insisted he would not play, and the FA made sure he left the camp.”
Boateng emphasized that dedication during qualifiers should carry significant weight in squad selection. “You cannot skip qualifiers and then show up when it’s convenient. That should not happen,” he added.
He also warned that such decisions could disrupt unity within the team. “Football is about teamwork. Bringing them in will create chaos. Players build bonds during qualifiers, and if someone else is suddenly invited ahead of you, it will affect the spirit in the camp.”
While maintaining his firm position, Boateng admitted the situation is not entirely straightforward and suggested the players themselves should not take all the blame.
“From the beginning, nobody was really there for them,” he noted, but reiterated that their late inclusion would still be wrong.
Ghana will face Panama, England, and Croatia at next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
