Iñaki Williams walked his own path with Ghana. At 32, he steps away.
Iñaki Williams brings his four-year international chapter to a close after helping Ghana reach the World Cup knockout stage.
On Friday, Iñaki Williams brought an end to one of international football's most personal chapters. The 32-year-old Athletic Bilbao forward announced his retirement from Ghana duty after four years with the Black Stars, stepping away on his own terms after helping guide the squad into the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup in North America. 1
Williams committed to Ghana in 2022, six years after making a solitary friendly appearance for Spain against Bosnia. Born in Bilbao after his parents crossed the Sahara and scaled the Melilla border fence to reach the Basque Country, Williams grounded his international allegiance in his family's heritage. Over his four years with the national team, Williams earned 28 caps and scored two goals, providing leadership across two World Cup cycles. 12
The North American farewell
Under manager Carlos Queiroz, Ghana entered the 2026 finals with an energetic forward line featuring Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and Williams out wide. 23 The Black Stars advanced from Group L to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since their quarterfinal run in South Africa in 2010. 1 That tournament run concluded on July 3 at Kansas City Stadium, where Colombia edged out a 1-0 victory in the Round of 32. 1 That tight contest in Missouri was Williams's final match in the national shirt.
Two brothers, two paths
The tournament also highlighted the unique contrast within the Williams family. While Iñaki finished his World Cup run in early July, his younger brother Nico Williams remained in the United States with Spain, ultimately lifting the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 19. 1 The brothers celebrated their parallel careers with mutual pride. With international commitments resolved, Iñaki can dedicate his remaining playing years to captaining Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, leaving Ghanaian supporters with memories of a committed forward who answered the call of his heritage. 1
Quote of the Day
"Ghana has given me much more than football. It has allowed me to come back home, feel even closer to my roots and experience the enormous pride of representing my country and wearing this flag on my chest." — Iñaki Williams, announcing his international retirement. 1
References
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- 3Ghana World Cup 2026 team guide | The Guardian
theguardian.com
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