Dunfermline defender Nurudeen Abdulai has set his sights on earning a place in Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, expressing confidence that consistent performances in Scotland could pave the way for his national team breakthrough.
The former Medeama SC centre-back joined the Scottish Championship side in early September and has quickly made an impression with his solid defensive displays. After spending five weeks on the bench as an unused substitute, Abdulai seized his chance when he made his debut against Queen’s Park on October 4 — and hasn’t looked back since.
Since breaking into the starting lineup, the 22-year-old has helped Dunfermline keep three clean sheets, earning plaudits for his composure and tactical awareness at the heart of defense.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Abdulai described his move to Scotland as an important step in his football journey and a potential gateway to the national team.
“Playing for Dunfermline is a big platform for me. My country can call me at any time, so I need to keep improving here to earn a call-up for the World Cup,” he said.
The Ghanaian defender added that national team selectors monitor Scottish football closely, and he’s aware that strong performances won’t go unnoticed.
“The national manager knows I’m here. In Ghana, people watch Spanish, English, and Scottish football. Even when I was in Ghana, I used to watch the Scottish league, so they know I’m playing for a good team. I got a lot of messages after last Friday night’s game, which shows people are watching.”
Abdulai was previously called up to Ghana’s squad during the World Cup qualifiers but did not make an appearance, serving as an unused substitute in three matches.
“I’m very happy that my country has qualified for the World Cup — it means a lot to me,” he said proudly. “That alone motivates me to perform even better here, because if I keep doing well, I believe I’ll earn my call-up to the World Cup squad.”
