Former Black Stars midfielder Derek Boateng says Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah shouldn’t be called up to the Black Stars.
He said this as the debate rages over the potential addition of the abovementioned players to Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Both players have played for England at the senior level prior but neither player breached the appearance limit set by FIFA which makes them still eligible to play for Ghana.
However, speaking to Sporty FM, Boateng-who played at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup-called for Ghana not to call Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah.
“I feel like those players, they should not call them. They shouldn’t invite them, Odoi and Nketiah, I don’t think it’s fair. It’s not fair.”
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Callum Hudson-Odoi Photo Courtesy: Getty Images
“They should not invite them; it’s not fair for the rest of the players. They will not add nothing, they should not call them. Football is team work. Bringing them will create a lot of chaos in the national team and a lot of troubles” Boateng said.

Derek Boateng
However, he did add that, “I will say, it’s not their [Hudson-Odoi, Nketiah] fault that they didn’t come and play for Ghana because from the beginning, nobody was there for them.”

Black Stars starting lineup against Chad in N’Djamena Photo Courtesy: GFA
Ghana is in Group L at the 2026 World Cup with England, Croatia and Panama.