GFA Prez Okraku still hopeful of Nico Williams nationality switch

Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku is confident that Atletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams will switch his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana.

Williams received his first call-up to the senior Spain squad ahead of this month’s UEFA Nations League games with Luis Enrique handing him a debut off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.

Nico has indicated his preference is to represent the country of his birth, with his older brother Inaki, opting to switch to the nation of their parents birth, Ghana.

However, Nico can still play for Ghana because of an update in FIFA rules in 2020.

Currently, a player can represent a new nation, after making their competitive bow for another, if they meet certain criteria, which Nico does.

A change is valid if the player holds dual nationality prior to their debut, if they make less than three competitive appearances aged under 20, and if there is a three-year gap before the previous cap.

“He’s been summoned to Spain and I wish him the best, but he will return home (to Ghana)”, Okraku said in an interview with Marca.

“I know he is coming home. Iñaki also played for Spain. We’ll continue talking, he’s one of us.”

Ghana's national team are currently in Spain for an international friendly against minnows Nicaragua.