Ghana international Inaki Williams has picked up an injury, bringing into question his availability for the Black Stars’ friendlies with Japan.
The Athletic Bilbao captain picked up the injury during Athletic Bilbao’s 3-1 win over Qarabag on Wednesday, October 22. He was substituted at the 38th minute after feeling discomfort. A post-match assessment by the medical team confirmed he had suffered an adductor injury.
The club confirmed his injury in a statement shared on their website on Thursday, revealing that it affects the adductor muscle in his right leg.
“Iñaki Williams had to be subbed off in the 38th minute of Wednesday’s Champions League match against Qarabag FK after suffering an injury to the adductor muscles in his right leg”, a statement from the club read.
However, the club didn’t specify the timeline for his recovery but noted that, he has began treatment for the injury.
This is the latest injury to a Spanish-born Ghanaian who has a reputation as an iron man. Williams missed Ghana’s 5-0 win over the Central African Republic and 1-0 win over the Comoros in the World Cup qualifiers due to a muscle overload in his left leg in October.
Ghana sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Comoros in their final Group I qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, marking the country’s fifth appearance at football’s biggest tournament.
While they look forward to finding out who their group-stage opponents will be when the official draw is held on December 5, Ghana will take on Japan on November 14 and South Korea on November 18 in friendly games after qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Due to the unspecfied timeline of Inaki’s recovery pundits and football fans are speculating the possibility of his absence.
Meanwhile, Ghana Black Stars head coach Otto Addo, during a media appearance, called on the Ghana-Spanish-born player to adapt better to the team as Ghana gears up for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Williams, who missed Ghana’s final two qualifiers against the Central African Republic and Comoros due to injury, has scored just two goals in 25 appearances since switching allegiance from Spain in 2022.
Speaking exclusively to Joy Sports, Addo emphasized the need for the Athletic Bilbao striker to better integrate into the team’s setup.
“We have to find a better connection with him, and he has to adapt better with the squad,” Addo said.
The coach also acknowledged that he must play his part in helping Williams thrive.
“I also have to find the best position for him. If we all work on that, we’ll benefit because he has the quality,” he added.
The first clash is scheduled for November 14 in Toyota as part of the prestigious Kirin Cup, against Japan, before they travel to Seoul to face South Korea three days later, on November 17.
Both Japan and South Korea have already booked their places at the 2026 World Cup and are expected to field full-strength lineups, providing Ghana with a crucial test ahead of next year’s continental and global competitions.
The Asian tour forms part of the Ghana Football Association’s broader plan to give coach Otto Addo the platform to evaluate his squad and fine-tune tactics before the global showpiece.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama hopes the Black Stars will aim higher beyond their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has urged the team to emulate Morocco and, in broader terms, envision doing more.
President Mahama cited Morocco as a model because they made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.
Referring to an unforgettable situation in the history of Ghana football, where Asamoah’s penalty miss cost Ghana’s place in the semi-finals, he urged the team,
“We must follow in the footsteps of Morocco by going beyond the semi-finals and, who knows, with fingers crossed, bring the World Cup trophy home to make Ghana and Africa proud”.
He further went on to call on Ghanaians to support the team without any bias.
“We must all rally behind the Black Stars. We must support them to the hilt. Let’s not bring in any partisan or ethnic considerations. Let’s give them our full support,” he added.
Following a group-stage exit at their previous World Cup in Qatar, Ghana now hope to make a lasting impact in the 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated Ghana for securing its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a congratulatory message shared via video on the football governing body’s Instagram, Infantino praised the four-time African champions for their achievement and expressed excitement about their return to the world stage.
“Congratulations to the Black Stars on reaching the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in history. Your fans will bring colours, style and passion to the greatest FIFA World Cup ever in 20226 in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
“We expect that your team will establish more global stars to follow in the footsteps of the famous team that made the quarterfinals of the tournament in South Africa in 2010, but for now, enjoy this special moment, and we cannot wait to see who the Black Stars will face when we have the final tournament draw on the 5th of December.
“See you very soon and well. Congratulations!”
