‘The future will take care of itself’ – Nketiah on Ghana rumours

Eddie Nketiah says “the future will take care of itself” amid speculation that the Crystal Palace striker could switch his international allegiance from England to Ghana ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

The possible inclusion of diaspora players such as the 26-year-old and Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has sparked a fierce debate in Ghana since the Black Stars sealed their place at next year’s tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Nketiah, who is the record goalscorer for England’s Under-21 side with 16 goals, won his only senior cap as a substitute in a friendly against Australia in October 2023.

Under Fifa rules introduced in 2020, a player can switch nationality provided they have played no more than three competitive matches at senior level prior to turning 21, or been involved at a major championship such as the World Cup of Africa Cup of Nations.

“At the moment, I’m just enjoying my football with Crystal Palace – that’s been my main focus,” said Nketiah when quizzed about the rumours by BBC Sport Africa.

“I’m Ghanaian and there’s no denying that. Obviously I’m proud of my roots and where I’ve come from.

Born in Lewisham, south London, to Ghanaian parents, Nketiah began his youth career at Chelsea before moving to Arsenal.

He made his debut for the Gunners as an 18-year-old in September 2017 and went on to score 38 goals in 168 appearances before his £30m move to across London to Palace in August 2024.

Nketiah has previously been approached by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), which regularly sounds out diaspora talent. Chelsea’s England Under-21 international Joshua Acheampong is another recent example who has received an approach.

National team head coach Otto Addo has revealed that some players who resisted those overtures in the past have changed their mind now a World Cup is on the horizon.

But while Nketiah did not rule out a switch, he denied there has been any recent contact with the GFA.

“I haven’t had any calls or anything recently, so my focus has just been on playing well each week and helping my team win trophies,” he said.

“If I’m doing well and doing the right things then naturally the international future will resolve itself when it’s time to make that decision.”

When addressing the hot topic of players who had no role in qualification being called up, Addo explained consideration would be given on a “case by case” basis.

Speaking to 3Sports last month, he said: “I think Ghana should always have a certain pride as a country. We need to go on each player and check the commitment, which is very crucial, because we have a very good unity and I definitely don’t want to destroy this.”

While Kofi Adams, Ghana’s minister of sport and recreation, has said that Addo and his technical team will have the final say on who is selected, the situation has left some Black Stars supporters in a dark mood.

“The consensus in Ghana is that players that did not accept invitations to be part of the Black Stars [squad] to qualify for the World Cup, those players should not be called up,” sports journalist Muftawu Abdulai told BBC Sport Africa.

“In fact, even some members of the floor of parliament were saying that.

“If you speak to fans in Ghana, they describe them (players now hoping to switch allegiance) as opportunistic.”

Along with Nketiah and Hudson-Odoi, Como winger Jayden Addai, who is a Netherlands youth international, has also been strongly linked.

Meanwhile, like Acheampong, Chelsea forward Tyrique George is another England youth player who could represent Ghana should he choose to do so – something that high-profile stars including Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey and Inaki Williams have done in recent years.

“There was a point where the former President of the country, Nana Akufo-Addo, was believed to have been personally involved in trying to convince Hudson-Odoi,” said Abdulai, before adding that he believes such high-level solicitations have come to an end.

While Nketiah’s footballing history is tied to England’s youth teams, he does already have his own connection to Ghana through his charitable work, for which he received recognition at last month’s Best of Africa Awards in London.

“In the summer last year, I went back to Ghana and did a lot work there, and also I’m trying to do some work here in the community, in the youth clubs, in the local area I come from,” explained the striker.

“We’ve got a lot more to do in the future but it’s nice to get the recognition.”

The Nketiah Foundation has worked to support disadvantaged and disabled children in Ghana, while last year it also organised a football tournament there.

“I feel like I’ve been blessed by God with this ability and opportunities,” he added.

“We’ve got to use that really well and try to give back to as many people as we can and spread that love and joy because football is a powerful thing.”

Nketiah credits his family with having “nailed” the importance of charity into him.

But with the debate raging online focusing only on his possible switch to Ghana, he believes it is better to avoid the chatter.