Eddie Nketiah has not ruled out the possibility of representing Ghana at the 2026 World Cup, keeping alive long-running hopes among Black Stars supporters that the Crystal Palace striker could switch allegiance in time for the tournament.
Nketiah, who was born in London to Ghanaian parents, said in a recent interview that although his focus is currently on his club career, he remains open-minded about playing for Ghana.
“I’m Ghanaian and there’s no denying that,” he said. “At the moment I’m just enjoying my football with Crystal Palace — that’s been my main focus — but I’m sure the future will take care of itself and what will be will be.”
His comments have injected fresh energy into the debate around Ghana’s pursuit of diaspora talent, especially after the Black Stars secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The forward, who has represented England at various youth levels and made a single senior appearance in a friendly, remains eligible under FIFA rules to make a one-time switch to Ghana.
Under current regulations, a player who has played fewer than three competitive senior matches — and none at a major tournament — may change allegiance if the appearances came before age 21.
Nketiah’s only senior cap for England was a non-competitive outing, meaning he retains full eligibility to join the Black Stars if he chooses.
Within Ghana’s football circles, the 25-year-old is viewed as a potentially transformative addition: a dynamic attacker with Premier League experience, strong movement and a proven scoring record when given a consistent run of games.
His profile aligns with the national team’s push to strengthen its attacking options ahead of the World Cup.
Still, Nketiah has not indicated that formal talks with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) are underway. The GFA and the Black Stars’ technical team, however, have repeatedly said they remain open to welcoming high-quality players from the global Ghanaian diaspora, provided they demonstrate commitment and fit into the squad’s competitive structure.
Should Nketiah decide to represent Ghana, the process would involve formally notifying England, submitting a switch request to FIFA and securing approval before being eligible for selection.
That would then place the final decision in the hands of Ghana’s coach, who would have to determine whether Nketiah fits into tactical plans for pre-tournament matches and the World Cup itself.
