World Cup 2026: 'This is an opportunity to make history' – Inaki Williams ahead of Panama game

As Ghana prepare to launch their 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama, forward Inaki Williams has issued a rallying cry to his teammates, urging them to embrace the pressure and seize the opportunity to create history.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's Group L opener at BMO Field in Toronto, the Athletic Bilbao striker acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the Black Stars jersey but insisted the squad is ready to rise to the challenge.

"We need to give out everything on the pitch; it's going to be better," Williams said.

"I know Ghanaians always want to put pressure on us because they love football. And Ghana has history. They made history at the World Cup in 2010, and I think this is an opportunity to try and do the same for our country. Our first game is important because it is what will give us confidence."

The Black Stars' best-ever World Cup finish came in South Africa in 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals before being denied a historic semi-final spot by Luis Suárez's infamous handball. Williams believes this generation has the quality to emulate – or even surpass – that achievement.

Ghana face Panama in a match widely viewed as crucial to their hopes of advancing from a daunting group that also includes England and Croatia. A win would set the tone for the challenges ahead, while defeat would leave the Black Stars with a mountain to climb.

Williams, who switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022, is expected to lead the attack alongside Antoine Semenyo and captain Jordan Ayew. The Black Stars will be without Thomas Partey, who was denied entry to Canada.

For Williams, the message is simple: this is Ghana's moment, and the team must seize it.