Iñaki Williams has brought his Ghana international career to an end, declaring that he leaves the Black Stars with pride and the satisfaction of knowing he “gave everything” whenever he wore the national team shirt.
The Athletic Club captain announced his decision on Thursday, September 11, bringing the curtain down on a four-year spell with Ghana that saw him represent the country at three major tournaments.
Williams switched his international allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022 after previously representing Spain at senior level, earning one cap for La Roja in 2016.
Williams also represented the European country at youth level. His younger brother, Nico Williams, has continued to represent Spain internationally.
He made his Ghana debut against Brazil in September 2022 in a 3-0 defeat before being included in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
His decision to play for Ghana came after a period of uncertainty over his international future. Before visiting the country, Williams had spoken openly about his reluctance to take the place of a player who had grown up dreaming of representing Ghana.
His perspective changed after experiencing the warmth and affection shown to him during his visit.
Announcing his decision, the 32-year-old wrote on social media: “I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end,” Williams said in his farewell message. “I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt.”
The Athletic Club forward said his Ghana experience went beyond football, describing the opportunity to reconnect with his roots as one of the most meaningful aspects of his international career.
“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
Three Major Tournaments and Two World Cup Qualifying Goals
Williams’ Ghana career included appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was part of the Black Stars’ squad in Qatar and later featured at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. Ghana’s 2026 World Cup campaign gave him another opportunity to represent the country on football’s biggest stage.
His most productive period in a Ghana shirt came during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, when he scored against Madagascar in Kumasi and Chad in Accra. His overall international scoring return, however, remained modest compared with the numbers he has consistently produced for Athletic Club. He scored only two goals for Ghana, with all coming in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
At the 2026 World Cup, Williams started Ghana’s 0-0 draw against England and also featured in the round-of-32 defeat to Colombia after Ghana progressed from the group stage.
The contrast between his international output and his club career has been particularly noticeable. Williams has established himself as a key figure at Athletic Club, where he has spent his entire senior career and become one of the club’s most experienced players.
He made his Athletic first-team debut in 2014 and has since accumulated more than 500 competitive appearances for the Basque club. He also holds the distinction of having played alongside his younger brother Nico at senior level for Athletic, with the brothers sharing the pitch for the first time in 2021.
Williams’ Athletic career has also produced considerably more goals than his international spell. He scored 14 goals in the 2023/24 campaign and 11 in 2024/25, underlining the attacking influence he has enjoyed at club level.
Despite the disappointment of not reproducing that consistency with Ghana, Williams leaves the Black Stars after helping the country qualify for another World Cup and experiencing three major international tournaments.
He ended his message by thanking those who supported him throughout his Ghana journey and reaffirming that the country will remain part of his identity.
“Ghana will always be a part of me. I will continue supporting the Black Stars as one of you, wherever I am. Medaase. Always Ghana.”
Inaki Williams
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