The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has ruled out a quota system for local players in the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Communications Director of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum emphasized that all national team selections will be made purely on merit, despite calls for guaranteed spots for players in the Ghana Premier League.
The debate around quotas has gained traction following Ghana’s qualification for the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico this summer, as local clubs stand to benefit from FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme (CBP).
"No quota has been set for local players. Black Stars selections have always been based on merit, not on whether a player is local or abroad," he said in an interview with Akoma FM.
He cited examples of recent call-ups, including Afriyie Barnieh, Danlad Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey, and Benjamin Asare, stressing that their inclusion was earned through performance alone.
"Players like Afriyie Barnieh, Danlad Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey, and most recently Benjamin Asare earned their call-ups purely through performance—no one begged for them.
"The same principle applies to every player: wherever you are, if your performance warrants it, you will be called up," Asante Twum added.
Ghana, drawn in Group L, will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England in Boston and concluding the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
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