Member of Parliament for Mion, Misbahu Mahama Adams, has called for a bold shift in selection policy for the Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting that at least ten locally-based players should be included in the final squad.
With less than two months to the tournament, Adams expressed concern over the limited representation of home-based talent, noting that Benjamin Asare is currently the only standout local player in contention.
Speaking on the issue, he revealed that efforts are already underway at a policy level to encourage greater inclusion of players from the Ghana Premier League.
“I actually did a statement on the floor of Parliament… we have to be deliberate in including our local players in the national team, especially for the 2026 World Cup,” he said.
Adams clarified that his proposal is not about abandoning merit-based selection, but rather ensuring a structured balance within the squad.
“I’m not saying we should stop selecting players based on merit… I’m just saying we should be deliberate. About 33.3% of the squad roughly 10 players should be local-based,” he explained.
He also pointed to the expanded nature of the upcoming tournament, which is expected to allow larger squad sizes, creating more room for inclusion without compromising quality.
Beyond sporting considerations, Adams highlighted the potential economic benefits tied to player selection. He referenced FIFA’s club compensation programme, which distributes funds to clubs whose players are involved in the World Cup.
According to him, including more locally-based players would ensure Ghanaian clubs directly benefit financially, rather than those funds going to foreign teams.
“You can imagine what this money will do to our local league,” he said, citing clubs like Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, and Karela United as potential beneficiaries.
He argued that even squad players who may not feature on the pitch still generate financial returns for their clubs simply by being selected, making local inclusion a strategic investment in Ghanaian football.
With FIFA’s deadline for final squad submissions set for June 1, 2026, the debate over balancing foreign-based stars and domestic talent is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
For Adams, the message is clear: Ghana must use the World Cup not only as a platform for success on the pitch but also as an opportunity to strengthen the foundation of its local game.
