Germany-born forward Ilyas Ansah has declined the opportunity to represent the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing instead to continue his development with Germany’s youth national setup.
The 21-year-old striker, who plays for 1. FC Union Berlin, had been closely tracked by the Ghana Football Association and Black Stars head coach Otto Addo in recent months as Ghana sought to strengthen its squad ahead of the global tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite the interest, Ansah has made it clear that his immediate focus remains on club football and Germany’s U21 team.
“I’ve decided to soak up everything I’m currently experiencing at Union and continue playing for the German U21 team. After the U21 European Championship, I’ll look into it next year and make a decision. As things stand, I won’t be going to the World Cup with Ghana,” Ansah said, as quoted by tribuna.com.
The young forward has already featured six times for Germany’s U21 side, scoring once, and is determined to cement his place at Union Berlin while progressing through the German youth ranks.
