Iñaki Williams, the legacy of Abedi Pelé and the hope of playing in the 2026 World Cup with Ghana

Ghanawhich is participating in its fifth World Cup this year, has some names that are making noise and generating good expectations in their country. Inaki Williams is one of them and seeks to follow in the footsteps of Abedi Ayew, better known as Abedi Peléwho considered the best ghanaian player in history. Today, the fans of that team enjoy the talent of Jordan Ayewthe youngest of three footballer sons of the great Pelebut Williams also aims to stand out in this World Cup 2026.

At 31 years old, Inaki Williamsthe older brother of Nico Williamswho is eight ahead of him, represents Ghana by his own decision. Meanwhile, Nico, who also plays in Athletic Club in LaLigadefends the colors of Spain. Iñaki was born on June 15, 1994 in Bilbao and will turn 32 as soon as the World Cup begins. His parents, María and Félix, came from Ghana and emigrated to Spanish territory in the ’90s in search of a better future, crossing the Sahara on foot. Iñaki and his brother were born there, teammates in the Basque club, current finalist of the King’s Cup. Iñaki played a match with the Spanish team in 2016 and later chose to represent Ghana internationally and was called up for the 2022 World Cup and the 2023 African Cup.

In 2021, having not played any official match for Spain, he spoke about the possibility of playing for Ghana: “My parents are from Accra and I really like to go. But I was not born or raised there, my culture is here, and there are players for whom it would mean more. I don’t think it’s right to take the place of someone who really deserves to go and feels Ghana 100%.“. The local media interpreted that as a rejection of the “Black Stars.” Finally, in mid-2022, Iñaki announced that he was making himself available to the African country and he immediately received his first call-up, making his debut in a friendly defeat against Brazil.

Iñaki Williams wants to make history with Ghana in the 2026 World Cup

With his virtues, and his years of experience, Inaki Williams intends to excel in the World Cup. Jordan Ayew He is a figure and stands out as a forward at Leicester, just as Antoine Semenyo does at Manchester City. The goal of the Athletic Club attacker is to fight hand in hand for a place in the starting XI for them and make serious noise before millions of eyes around the world.

His intention is to follow in the footsteps of Abedi Pelé, the best Ghanaian of all time, who shone in the ’80s and ’90s and received the nickname “Pelé” when compared to the Brazilian. He was also known as the “Magician” or the “African Maradona”for his technical ability, dribbling and game vision. Meanwhile, Iñaki is characterized by his physical power, speed and ability to get clear, playing mainly as a right winger or center forward.

The record of the retired Abedi Pelé is eloquent: he is the top scorer in the history of the Ghana National Team, he won three African Golden Balls and an award for the best in Africa. He himself achieved titles with his team and, with Olympique de Marseillewon the French League twice and beat the powerful Milan to win the UEFA Champions League in 1993.

Now Iñaki Williams’ goal is to be able to do something historic with Ghana in a World Cupthe maximum quote that precisely Abedi Pelé was never able to compete. That African country played four World Cups and the first was in Germany 2006, when it had already retired. And up to this point, Ghana’s best performance in a senior World Cup came in the first one on African soil, in South Africa 2010, when it reached the quarterfinals and was eliminated by Uruguay.

Ghana was led by Otto Addo, who is now no longer a coach due to poor results. The team continues to prepare for the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where the “Estrellas Negras” (“Black Stars”) will try to repeat their good performances of the past, in their fifth participation in the World Cup. With a firm defense and efficient attack, Ghana took first place in Group I of Africa and passed the Qualifiers without problems. In the team, Iñaki seeks to become strong based on his physical and football potential.

On this occasion, Ghana will be part of Group L, along with Englandthe great favorite, more Croatia and Panama. Without a doubt, the first two are strong and start as favorites to fight for first place in the area. And it is Iñaki Williams, with a lot of experience in Spanish football, who intends to put it all into his national team to give the English and Croatians a headache, and thus be able to climb the rounds.

Until now, he has only played in one World Cup, in 2022, when his team did not make it past the initial phase, finishing last in its zone, behind Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay. He started all three games and did not score goals. Within the team, he adopted the name “Kweku”, due to the day he was born (Wednesday), which is a Ghanaian custom.

Iñaki Williams’ fight to have a place in Ghana

The eldest Williams was chosen the African MVP within the Spanish LaLiga in the last two seasons, 2023-24 and 2024-25, he shines with his team, Athletic Club, although he is not satisfied with that. He has just been called up again for Ghana against Austria and Germany, after missing the calls last October and November due to a muscle injury, but was left out again in both defeats due to new physical problems.

Thus, he could not have action again with the “Black Stars”, as happened for the last time in September 2025, when he was against Mali in a Qualifiers match that his team won fairly. Now he just wants to be healthy so he can demonstrate his abilities on the playing field. In 2026, he reached a historic mark: 500 games played in the Basque entity, one step away from playing 400 in the Spanish league. His dedication and leadership are important, but he needs his body to accompany him to have a positive final stretch for the World Cup.. Up to this point, he scored two goals in 25 games with his team and, in the ones he scored, his team celebrated. Now he wants to earn a position and show his best weapons.

Since he jumped into Athletic Club first team, in 2014stood out as a player and at the same time is highly respected as a person. He scored his first goal on February 19 of the following year, in a tie with Torino for the UEFA Europa League, becoming the first black player to score for the club. He was watched by clubs such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, but always chose to remain with the Basque team.

Owner of a privileged physique, he set the LaLiga continuity record, when he played 251 consecutive games, between April 2016 and January 2023. He has now reached 500 games for the northern Spanish club, scoring 114 goals. He has already achieved a Cup title and two Super Cups, plus qualifications for European competitions, although his ultimate dream has arrived, that of being able to stand out in the 2026 World Cup. He has the potential to achieve it: that is why Iñaki Williams and Ghana daydream.