GHALCA President John Ansah backs more home-based players for Black Stars World Cup squad

The President of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), John Ansah, has thrown his weight behind calls for increased inclusion of locally based players in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ansah, speaking on Channel One Sports, argued that the Ghana Premier League ranks among the best on the continent and expressed hope that new head coach Carlos Queiroz would consider selecting more than the two domestic players who made the squad for the last World Cup in 2022.

"I'm of the view that he might consider doing the same or even more," Ansah said, referring to Queiroz. He noted that during the 2022 tournament, Ghana had two home-based players, and during qualifiers, others were also given opportunities.

Ansah acknowledged that the local league sometimes faces criticism, but he insisted it remains highly competitive. "If you look around us on this continent, we are among one of the best," he stated. However, he also emphasized that clubs must shoulder responsibility for developing players worthy of national call-ups.

"It all boils down to giving them confidence to do more," Ansah added, urging local clubs to improve their structures and player development.

His comments follow an ongoing debate over whether a quota system for home-based players should be introduced in the Black Stars. Historically, Ghana's World Cup squads in 2006, 2010, and 2014 were dominated by foreign-based professionals. The 2022 squad saw a slight shift with the inclusion of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, both with strong ties to the domestic game.

With the World Cup just weeks away, Queiroz has already signalled that selection will be based purely on merit. Whether that opens the door for more local talents remains to be seen. But for Ansah, the potential is there, and the time to act is now.