Former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to step up efforts to secure the commitment of foreign-born players of Ghanaian descent as the Black Stars prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His appeal comes amid growing concerns over player availability, with reports suggesting key figures such as Mohammed Kudus could miss the tournament due to injury setbacks.
Debate has meanwhile intensified around the potential inclusion of England-born players Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi, with discussions continuing since Ghana sealed qualification for the tournament in North America.
Vanderpuye has also pointed to Danny Welbeck as another possible addition, insisting the GFA must act swiftly.
“If the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has not worked on how to get Danny Welbeck to play for the Black Stars, we should get him now for the World Cup,” he said.
“We need Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi to play for the Black Stars. We want to have a good team for the World Cup,” Vanderpuye added.
Meanwhile, the GFA is shifting focus toward rebuilding the technical setup, with the appointment of a new head coach expected following the departure of Otto Addo.
Once confirmed, preparations are set to resume in May, with planned friendlies against Mexico and Wales as part of Ghana’s build-up to the tournament.
Ghana will make its fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup in 2026, where it has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.
