Iñaki Williams faces World Cup challenge with Ghana amidst form questions

Iñaki Williams faces World Cup challenge with Ghana amidst form questions
SLUG: inaki-williams-world-cup-ghana-form
EXCERPT: The Athletic forward is included in Ghana’s provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup, but his recent form and role with the national team have raised questions.
CATEGORY: News
TAGS: Iñaki Williams, Ghana, World Cup, Athletic Club, Carlos Queiroz
SEO_TITLE: Iñaki Williams: World Cup hopes and Ghana’s form questions
SEO_DESCRIPTION: Explore the situation surrounding Iñaki Williams and his inclusion in Ghana’s World Cup squad, analyzing his recent performances and potential role under new coach Carlos Queiroz.
MEDIA_QUERY: Iñaki Williams playing for Ghana national team
IMAGE_ALT: Iñaki Williams in action for Ghana

Ghana’s World Cup preparations are underway, and a key talking point is the inclusion of Athletic Club forward Iñaki Williams. Despite facing questions about his recent form and role within the Black Stars setup, Williams has been selected for the provisional squad ahead of the tournament. The team’s recent friendly against Wales, which ended in a draw, marked the debut of new head coach Carlos Queiroz, who replaced Otto Addo after a string of defeats.

Williams, who debuted for Ghana in September 2022, has seen his place in the squad debated due to fluctuating performances. While his inclusion for the World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States seemed uncertain according to various reports, the new coach’s decision confirms his presence at the global showpiece. This marks his second consecutive World Cup appearance, having featured in Qatar 2022.

New Coach’s Challenge

Carlos Queiroz, a coach with extensive experience in international tournaments, faces the immediate task of integrating the chosen players and establishing a competitive team. The friendly against Wales served as an initial evaluation, but with the World Cup commencing soon, Queiroz has limited time to finalize his tactical approach. Ghana’s group stage opponents include strong contenders England and Croatia, along with Panama. In their previous World Cup campaign in Qatar, Ghana was drawn in a tough group with Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay, failing to advance past the group stage.

Williams’ Role and Performance for Ghana

During the Qatar World Cup, Iñaki Williams played a significant role, featuring in most of the matches and accumulating considerable minutes. However, his goal-scoring record for Ghana has been modest, with just two goals in 26 appearances. Often deployed as the furthest player forward, his positioning has been a subject of discussion, with some suggesting it doesn’t fully utilize his strengths. This debate echoes similar discussions during his career at Athletic Club, where he has often been utilized as a striker or winger, with his most effective performances coming from the right flank.

Athletic Club’s Consistent Presence

Statistics from his time at Athletic Club reveal Williams’ consistent availability and importance to his club. Since the 2022-23 season, he has participated in 170 official matches, starting 147 of them, accumulating over 12,000 minutes. He has been a mainstay in the squad, with only the 2025-26 season seeing a slight dip in his playing time, though he still managed a respectable number of minutes. His goal tally for Athletic stands at 40, a figure admittedly impacted by a recent goal drought, with only four goals since the previous summer.

Form and Fitness Concerns

The reasons behind Iñaki Williams’ perceived dip in form have been a topic of speculation. An injury in October saw him miss several matches, and even upon his return, his performance level was noted to be below his usual standard. Despite this, manager Ernesto Valverde continued to field him regularly, a decision that sometimes puzzled observers given his visible struggles. Williams himself acknowledged that his performances had not met expectations. While his age (approaching 32) and a history of consecutive matches could be factors, his recent struggles have led to questions about his current capabilities.

Looking Ahead to the World Cup

Despite the doubts surrounding his form, Iñaki Williams’ inclusion in the Ghana squad for the World Cup offers a potential opportunity for him to rediscover his best form on the international stage. His brief cameo against Wales, replacing Jordan Ayew, hints at potential tactical considerations for Queiroz. The main question remains whether Williams can leverage this World Cup experience to boost his performances for the upcoming season.

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Jugador | Iñaki Williams |
| Selección | Ghana |
| Próximo torneo | Mundial |
| Entrenador Ghana | Carlos Queiroz |
| Club | Athletic Club |

This development is significant for Football Español readers as it highlights the involvement of a prominent player with La Liga connections in a major international tournament. The analysis of Iñaki Williams’ form and role with Ghana provides insights into the dynamics of international football and how players adapt to different national team setups and coaching philosophies. For fans of Spanish football, tracking the performance of players like Williams on the world stage is always of interest.

Fuente: deia.eus – https://www.deia.eus/athletic/2026/06/04/mundial-inaki-williams-ghana-athletic-minutos-11154621.html

Datos clave