Inaki Williams Retires From International Football With Ghana

Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football with Ghana, bringing an end to a four-year spell with the Black Stars.

The 32-year-old made his Ghana debut in September 2022 after previously representing Spain at youth level.

Williams went on to win 28 caps for Ghana and scored two goals, featuring at two FIFA World Cups and one Africa Cup of Nations.

He was part of Ghana’s squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and also represented the Black Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Williams was again selected for Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign and made two appearances at the tournament.

Ghana’s run came to an end in the last 32 after a defeat by Colombia.

In announcing his retirement, Williams said he believed the time was right to end his international career.

“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” he said in a post on social media.

“I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”

Williams’ decision comes after a period in which he became an important attacking option for Ghana, combining his pace and experience from Spanish football with the demands of international football.

Born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, Williams came through Athletic Club’s academy and has spent the majority of his professional career with the Basque club.

His decision to switch his international allegiance to Ghana in 2022 generated significant interest, given that he had previously played for Spain at various youth levels.

He subsequently made his senior debut for Ghana against Nicaragua in September 2022 and was included in the squad for the World Cup in Qatar later that year.

Although goals proved difficult to come by during his international career, Williams remained a regular presence in Ghana squads and featured at major tournaments.

His retirement leaves Ghana without one of its most experienced forwards as the Black Stars begin preparations for the next phase of their international programme.

Williams ended his statement by expressing pride in having represented Ghana and gratitude for the opportunity to wear the national shirt.

His international career may not have produced the number of goals he would have hoped for, but he leaves the Black Stars having represented the country at three major tournaments and with 28 senior appearances to his name.

Last Updated on September 27, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

accrastreetjournal.com/