A significant shift in allegiance has seen Crystal Palace’s Eddie Nketiah publicly commit to representing Ghana internationally rather than England.
With the Black Stars close to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 25-year-old, who previously rejected Ghana’s offers, is now considering joining them.
In a recent interview on The Beautiful Game podcast, Nketiah discussed his shift in perspective regarding playing for England, explaining that it was a possibility for him earlier in his career. However, should Ghana invite me, I will attend.
Nketiah’s latest statements sharply contradict his past stance, as he previously rejected Ghana’s approaches while climbing the English youth system.
With 16 goals in 17 appearances for England U21, Nketiah, a product of the England youth system, holds the all-time scoring record. Despite a senior call-up in 2023 for games versus Scotland and Ukraine, he didn’t make the final squad. He’s been absent from England’s plans ever since.
Nketiah’s shift in attitude comes as his chances of playing for England seem increasingly doubtful. Crystal Palace is his current club, but following his time at Arsenal and a loan to Leeds, he’s battled for consistent starts and strong performances.
His potential move to Ghana has surprised many, leading critics to accuse him of opportunism, especially with Ghana’s strong World Cup bid.
The situation is similar to that of Inaki Williams, the Athletic Bilbao forward who first refused to play for Ghana but later changed his mind when it became obvious he wouldn’t play for Spain. Williams is now a regular member of the Black Stars.
FIFA rules allow Nketiah, a London-born Ghanaian, to play for Ghana because he’s never played a senior competitive match for England. However, if he joins the Black Stars, it could lead to renewed debate about players’ commitment and the reasons behind late career national team changes.
While the Ghana Football Association hasn’t responded to Nketiah’s comments, the renewed pursuit could mark a new chapter in his international career, potentially leading to a World Cup appearance in 2026.