Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku says the association was disappointed and disturbed by Inaki Williams’ decision to retire from international football after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Athletic Bilbao captain announced his retirement from the Black Stars following Ghana’s campaign at the tournament staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Kurt Okraku said the decision came as a disappointment to the Football Association, but explained that the circumstances surrounding Williams’ decision needed to be understood.
“I was disturbed about his decision. Not only me, but the entire Football Association. However, when you hear him out, you will understand his situation,” Okraku said.
According to the GFA president, Williams had been dealing with persistent pain and injuries and had also been receiving careful management from his club.
“He has been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he is being managed,” Okraku said.
Okraku explained that although the GFA was disappointed by the decision, the association respected Williams’ circumstances and appreciated his contribution to the national team.
“As a Football Association, we were disappointed, but we had to understand. His parents spoke to me and the Football Association and we just have to appreciate what he has done for us as a country,” he said.
The GFA president also urged Ghanaians to look beyond Williams’ statistics and recognise the effort he made while representing the Black Stars.
“I have seen people quoting his numbers but what we have to do is that we have to appreciate his effort,” Okraku added.
Williams switched his international allegiance to Ghana in July 2022 after previously making one senior appearance for Spain.
He had featured for Spain in a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2016 but later opted to represent Ghana, the country of his parents.
The forward received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022 under then-head coach Otto Addo for friendly matches against Brazil and Nicaragua.
Williams made his Ghana debut against Brazil on September 23, 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute during the 3-0 defeat in Le Havre, France.
He was subsequently included in Ghana’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and featured in all three group-stage matches.
Four years later, Williams returned to the World Cup after being selected by head coach Carlos Queiroz for Ghana’s 2026 tournament squad.
He started Ghana’s goalless draw against England and the Round of 32 defeat to Colombia.
Williams was an unused substitute in Ghana’s matches against Panama and Croatia.
Across his two World Cup campaigns, Williams made five appearances at the tournament for the Black Stars.
His first international goal came in dramatic fashion in November 2023 when he scored a 96th-minute header to give Ghana a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
He scored his second and final goal for Ghana against Chad in March 2025 during the same qualifying campaign.
Williams finishes his Black Stars career with 28 appearances and two goals.
He represented Ghana at two FIFA World Cups and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
His retirement now brings an end to a four-year international career that began with his decision to switch allegiance to Ghana and included appearances at two World Cups.
