Former Sports Minister Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye has rejected calls to exclude dual nationals who didn’t play in the qualifiers from Ghana’s 2026 World Cup squad.
Ghana will compete at next year’s tournament in Mexico, Canada, and the United States — the nation’s fifth appearance.
But debates have intensified over whether players of Ghanaian descent born abroad should be part of the squad.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Vanderpuye said birthplace should not define eligibility.
“Even Jordan [Ayew] and Dede [Ayew]…they were not born here. They were born outside the country,” he said.
“They had the opportunity and they came to play for us; Anthony Baffoe the same. Accident of birth should not prevent someone from enjoying portraying his Ghanaianess.”
The former minister urged inclusivity, stressing that talent, not nationality debates, should guide selection.
His remarks come as Nottingham Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah, and AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro are linked with possible Black Stars call-ups ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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