The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has confirmed that there will be no quota system for locally-based players in the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Following Ghana’s qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, there have been calls for a quota to ensure Ghana Premier League players are included.
Advocates argued that featuring more home-based players could also benefit local clubs through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme (CBP).
However, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum dismissed such demands, stating that squad selection will be strictly merit-based.
“No quota has been set for local players. Black Stars selections have always been based on merit, not on whether a player is local or abroad,” he told Akoma FM.
He added that recent call-ups for local players were earned purely on performance, not through pressure or lobbying.
“Players like Afriyie Barnieh, Danlad Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey, and most recently Benjamin Asare earned their call-ups purely through performance—no one begged for them. The same principle applies to every player: wherever you are, if your performance warrants it, you will be called up,” Asante Twum added.
Ghana, placed in Group L, will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto. The Black Stars will then face England in Boston before concluding the group stage against Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27.
