Athletic Bilbao captain Iñaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football with Ghana, bringing an end to his four-year journey with the Black Stars.
The 32-year-old forward announced his decision in an emotional farewell message on Friday, September 11, 2026, saying he was leaving the national team with happiness, pride and the satisfaction of having given his all whenever he wore the Ghana shirt.
“I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” Williams said.
“I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”
Williams, who was born in Bilbao, Spain, to Ghanaian parents, switched his international allegiance to Ghana in 2022 after previously making one appearance for the senior Spanish national team in a friendly.
He made his Black Stars debut in September 2022 in a friendly against Brazil and went on to become an important member of the national team over the next four years.
Williams made 28 appearances for Ghana and scored two goals, according to reports following his retirement announcement.
His first goal for the Black Stars came against Madagascar in November 2023, when he struck in the 95th minute to secure a 1-0 victory for Ghana in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
His second international goal also came during Ghana’s successful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Williams represented Ghana at two FIFA World Cups and one Africa Cup of Nations, with his final appearance coming at the 2026 World Cup, where the Black Stars were eliminated by Colombia in the Round of 32 following a 1-0 defeat.
Despite his relatively modest goal return, Williams remained a prominent figure in Ghana’s attack and was part of the squad that helped the Black Stars return to the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
In his farewell message, Williams reflected on the deeper meaning of representing Ghana, saying the national team experience had given him more than football.
“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,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to his teammates, coaches, officials and supporters who had been part of his journey and promised to continue backing the Black Stars from outside the pitch.
“Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am,” Williams added.
He ended his message with a simple but emotional declaration: “Medaase. Always Ghana.”
Iñaki Williams – Black Stars statistics
- International debut: September 2022
- Caps: 28
- Goals: 2
- World Cups: 2 (2022, 2026)
- AFCON appearances: 1
- Final Black Stars appearance: Ghana vs Colombia, 2026 World Cup
- International retirement: September 2026
Williams now brings his international career to a close with his legacy defined not only by his performances on the pitch but also by his decision to reconnect with his Ghanaian roots and proudly represent the country of his parents.
