From Eddie Nketiah to Francis Amuzu: Where Ghana stands on dual nationals ahead of 2026 World Cup
With Ghana securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the conversation has quickly shifted from celebration to preparation.
Otto Addo and his technical team now face the challenge of assembling a squad capable of making a meaningful impact in North America, and as has become tradition attention is once again turning to the pool of dual nationals with Ghanaian heritage spread across Europe.
Some have already shown interest, others continue to weigh their options, and a few are being quietly nurtured for the long term.
Here’s a breakdown of players who have been linked with the Black Stars and where the technical team stands according to 3Sports sources.
At Nottingham Forest, Callum Hudson-Odoi remains one of the most recognizable names on Ghana’s radar.
Born in London to Ghanaian parents, the winger represented England at every youth level and earned three senior caps for the Three Lions.
He even visited Accra in 2021, holding informal talks with Ghanaian FA officials and fueling speculation about a switch.
While he reportedly possesses a Ghanaian passport, those close to the national team say there is internal debate about whether to reignite that pursuit.
For now, the feeling is that Hudson-Odoi’s inclusion will depend on his club form and his personal willingness to commit fully to Ghana.
His former England youth teammate, Eddie Nketiah, appears to be a closed chapter. Now at Crystal Palace after leaving Arsenal, Nketiah turned down approaches from Ghana before the 2022 World Cup, hoping to establish himself with England.
The tone of that rejection reportedly didn’t sit well with sections of the technical team, who have since moved on, preferring to focus on forwards with a different profile.
In the Netherlands, young goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro has become one of the federation’s priorities. The AZ Alkmaar shot-stopper, who has represented the Dutch at U16, U20, and U21 levels, is viewed as a long-term investment.
The GFA and the Black Stars technical team have already made contact and plan to hold further discussions about a possible switch, seeing him as part of a broader plan to secure a dependable, youthful option in goal for the next decade.
Another player of Dutch-Ghanaian heritage, Jayden Addai, is making a name for himself in Italy with Como.
A product of AZ’s youth system, Addai has expressed openness to representing Ghana, though the current consensus is to give him time to mature.
With fierce competition for places on the wings, the teenager is seen as one for the future rather than an immediate option, unless his form in Serie A demands otherwise.
Chelsea’s teenage defender Josh Acheampong is also being tracked closely. Having broken into the first team and made appearances in both the Premier League and Champions League, Acheampong has emerged as one of the brightest defensive prospects in English football.
Ghana’s technical team see him as a long-term successor to Alexander Djiku, but there is quiet acknowledgment that securing him will be difficult as his stature rises at Chelsea.
Over in Manchester, 18-year-old Ayden Heaven continues his development at United after coming through Arsenal’s academy.
The England-born player, eligible for Ghana through his family, has caught the GFA’s attention but is still considered raw.
Officials are content to monitor his progress before making any move, preferring that he gains senior football experience first.
One name that has sparked internal debate is Samson Baidoo, the Austrian-born centre-back who now plays for RC Lens. Though he has represented Austria at youth and senior level, he remains eligible for Ghana.
Sources suggest Baidoo has expressed interest in reconnecting with his Ghanaian roots, but opinions within the GFA are split. Some argue that Ghana should act swiftly before Austria cap-ties him permanently, while others question whether he would walk straight into the Black Stars’ starting eleven.
In Germany, Union Berlin’s teenage forward Ilyas Ansah is generating quiet excitement. The 19-year-old, tall and mobile, is seen as a different kind of striker from what Ghana currently has.
The GFA has been monitoring him closely and hopes to secure his allegiance before Germany’s youth system tries to integrate him. If all goes to plan, Ansah could be one of the more realistic dual nationals to feature in Ghana’s future squads.
Elsewhere in Scandinavia, Danish-born midfielder Noah Nartey has impressed for Brøndby with his poise and passing. The 20-year-old has already been in contact with Ghana’s technical team and is reportedly open to playing for the Black Stars.
His creative style has drawn comparisons to Daniel Kofi Kyereh, and officials believe he could be a valuable addition to the national setup in the coming years.
Darko Gyabi, now at Hull City after leaving Leeds United, is another midfield name under quiet observation. The England-born player has spoken proudly of his Ghanaian heritage and has not ruled out representing the country.
For now, the coaching staff prefer to track his progress from afar, waiting for a stretch of consistent performances before formalizing any approach.
Romeo Lavia, however, appears to be a case closed. The Chelsea midfielder, born in Belgium to a Ghanaian father, has already pledged his international future to Belgium and made his senior debut.
The GFA has therefore withdrawn all interest and shifted its focus to more attainable targets.
There remains, however, a sense of unfinished business with Francis Amuzu. Once firmly aligned with Belgium, the winger has since acquired a Ghanaian passport and declared readiness to represent the Black Stars.
But at Grêmio, where he has only started around 20 percent of games this season, opportunities have been limited.
With Ghana already rich in wide attacking options, Amuzu’s inclusion for the World Cup looks unlikely though his name could resurface if his form improves.
