Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has voiced strong opposition to the potential inclusion of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that the players who secured qualification should be retained for the tournament proper.

“They should not invite them. Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah, no,” Boateng told Sporty FM. “I don’t think it’s fair. It’s not fair for the rest of the players.”

Boateng told an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers Black Stars story involving Kevin-Prince Boateng to bolster his point.

“I remember we went for AFCON qualifiers, tough conditions, bad pitches, and Kevin-Prince Boateng didn’t show up,” he narrated.

“But when we had a game in England, he came to the hotel. The players insisted he would not play, and the FA made sure he left the camp. He would not play.”

Boateng stressed that commitment during difficult qualification matches should carry significant weight.

“You cannot skip qualifiers and then show up when it’s convenient. It will not happen,” he asserted.

The former Panathinaikos player further cautioned that inviting and including players who did not play at the qualifiers could disrupt harmony within the squad, too. He underlined the importance of preserving and promoting unity in football.

“Football is teamwork. Bringing them will create chaos. Players have friendships. If you’ve been grinding through qualifiers and someone else is invited ahead of you, it will affect the spirit,” Boateng warned.

While maintaining his stance, he acknowledged the complexity of the situation, adding that the players he had named for exemption should not be entirely blamed.

“From the beginning, nobody was there for them,” the former defensive midfielder explained.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L to face Panama, England and Croatia - in that order - at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.