Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, has called for the inclusion of veteran forward Andre Ayew in the squad of the Ghana national football team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to the lawmaker, the experienced attacker deserves a place in the team due to his years of sacrifice, dedication, and loyalty to the national side.
Speaking on Eyewitness News, Agbana emphasized that players who have consistently served the country should be recognised and rewarded for their commitment. While he acknowledged that the final decision lies with the head coach, he believes Ayew’s experience and leadership could prove valuable for Ghana at the global tournament.
“We need to reward sacrifice, hard work and loyalty. Andre Ayew has shown enormous commitment to the Black Stars, and I believe he should be included,” he stated.
The 36-year-old forward recently demonstrated that he remains competitive after scoring his first goal for Dutch club NAC Breda. Despite concerns surrounding his age, Ayew’s recent performances suggest that he still has the ability to contribute both on and off the pitch.
Ayew remains one of the most influential players in the history of the Black Stars. As Ghana’s most capped player and a former national team captain, he has played a crucial role in several international tournaments, including multiple appearances at the FIFA World Cup. His leadership, experience, and understanding of high-pressure matches continue to spark debate among fans and analysts regarding his potential role in the team moving forward.
Agbana also referred to the case of former Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston, who played a key role in Ghana’s qualification campaigns but missed out on participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. According to the MP, Kingston’s absence from those tournaments remains one of the major regrets in Ghana’s football history.
“One of my regrets is that Laryea Kingston did not get the chance to play. He fought hard during qualification and should have been included,” Agbana noted.
The lawmaker also expressed reservations about players who previously rejected opportunities to represent Ghana but later seek to join the national team when circumstances become favourable. In his view, loyalty and commitment to the country should remain key factors in national team selection.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding the composition of Ghana’s squad for the 2026 World Cup continue to intensify as head coach Otto Addo prepares to finalise his list of players for the tournament. With the competition expected to be highly competitive, the technical team faces the challenge of balancing experienced players with emerging talents.
The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at the global showpiece, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico. As the tournament approaches, the debate over which players deserve a place in the squad continues to generate strong opinions among football stakeholders and supporters across Ghana.
