GFA president Okraku says Williams' Black Stars exit was painful but understandable

Pinned summary · as of 22:41

Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku has reacted to Iñaki Williams' decision to quit international football, saying it unsettled the association but made sense once the player explained himself. Williams, the Athletic Bilbao forward, has ended his Black Stars career following Ghana's 2026 World Cup campaign.

What we know

• Iñaki Williams has announced that he is retiring from the Ghana national team after the 2026 World Cup.
• In an interview with Asempa FM, Mr Okraku said the decision troubled him and the wider association. He added that hearing Williams out helped them grasp his position.
• According to Mr Okraku, Williams had been carrying pain and injuries for some time. "He has been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he is being managed," the GFA president said.
• Mr Okraku urged Ghanaians to acknowledge what Williams gave the country instead of judging him by his statistics.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

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  MyNewsGH alone reports that Mr Okraku said Williams' parents had spoken to him and the GFA; Pulse does not mention this.
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  Pulse alone reports that Williams made his announcement on 11 September 2026, gave his age as 32 and posted his farewell on X. It also gives his Ghana record as 28 games and two goals since his debut against Brazil on 23 September 2022, and says he played in Ghana's 1-0 Round of 32 loss to Colombia that ended the World Cup run.
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  MyNewsGH alone says Williams switched allegiance to Ghana in July 2022 after one senior appearance for Spain.
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  Pulse alone says the Black Stars host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday, 29 September, in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Why it matters for Ghana

Williams has been a regular name in Black Stars squads, so supporters in Accra, Kumasi and across Ghana will now look to see who leads the attack. The GFA president's comments show the association accepting the decision and asking the public to value his contribution rather than count his goals.