Inaki WilliamsGhana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku says the organisation was disappointed by Inaki Williams’ decision to retire from international football after the 2026 World Cup.The Athletic Bilbao captain announced his retirement from the Black Stars following Ghana’s campaign at the tournament in North America.”I was disturbed about his decision. Not only me, but the entire Football Association. However, when you hear him out, you will understand his situation,” Okraku told Asempa FM.Williams has reportedly been managing persistent pain and injuries, with the 32-year-old also being managed by his club, according to Okraku.”He has been playing through a lot of pain and injuries, and even at club level, he is being managed,” Okraku said.”As a Football Association, we were disappointed, but we had to understand. His parents spoke to me and the Football Association and we just have to appreciate what he has done for us as a country.”I have seen people quoting his numbers but what we have to do is that we have to appreciate his effort.”Williams switched his international allegiance to Ghana in July 2022 after making one senior appearance for Spain.He had featured for Spain in a 2016 friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina but later chose to represent Ghana, the country of his parents.The forward received his first Black Stars call-up in September 2022 under then-head coach Otto Addo for pre-World Cup friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua.He made his Ghana debut against Brazil on 23 September 2022, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-0 defeat in Le Havre, France.Williams was subsequently selected for Ghana’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he featured in all three group-stage matches.He returned to the World Cup four years later after being included in Carlos Queiroz’s squad for the 2026 tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.Williams started Ghana’s goalless draw against England and the Round of 32 defeat by Colombia. He was an unused substitute in the matches against Panama and Croatia.His two World Cup campaigns took his total appearances at the tournament for Ghana to five.Williams scored his first international goal in dramatic fashion in November 2023, heading home in the 96th minute to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Madagascar in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier.He scored his second and final goal for the Black Stars against Chad in March 2025 during the same qualifying campaign.Williams ends his Ghana career with 28 appearances and two goals, having represented the Black Stars at two World Cups and the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cte d’Ivoire.
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