Ex-Ghana international William Tierro has joined the growing debate over the possible inclusion of Eddie Nketiah and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the Black Stars’ squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting their selection would be unnecessary.

Speaking to Kessben FM, the former Asante Kotoko midfielder argued that the England-born duo are not “essential picks” for Ghana’s campaign in North America.

“For me, it’s unnecessary to include Nketiah and Odoi in our squad for the World Cup. They are not essential picks for the World Cup. Truth be told, they’re not game-changers like Messi or Ronaldo. In fact, they cannot perform any wonders for the team,” Tierro said.

The Debate


  • Pro-inclusion voices: Argue that Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah’s Premier League pedigree could strengthen Ghana’s competitiveness.

  • Opposition voices: Stress loyalty to those who fought through qualifiers, warning that late call-ups could disrupt team harmony.

  • Tierro’s stance: Reinforces the latter, downplaying the impact of the duo compared to global stars and insisting Ghana should rely on its existing squad.

Ghana’s Group L Fixtures


  • June 17 – vs Panama (Toronto, Canada)

  • June 23 – vs England (Boston, USA)

  • June 27 – vs Croatia (Philadelphia, USA)
Historical Context

  • World Cup Appearances: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, and now 2026.

  • Best Run: Quarter-final finish in South Africa 2010.

  • Recent Struggles: Group-stage exits in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022.

Tierro’s comments add another layer to the ongoing national debate about squad composition. With Ghana drawn against England, Croatia, and Panama, the question of whether to integrate dual-national stars or stick with the core squad remains one of the most pressing issues ahead of Otto Addo’s final selection.

Meanwhile, Ghana will test its strength in a high-profile friendly against Germany on March 30, 2026, offering a key opportunity to assess squad depth before the tournament.