Former Black Stars captain André Ayew has explained why he chose not to publicly complain after being left out of Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ayew said he was disappointed by the decision, particularly because he was playing regularly for NAC Breda in the Netherlands at the time. He also noted that some of the players selected for the tournament had not enjoyed regular playing time at their clubs.
Speaking in an interview, Ayew said he was aware that some Ghanaians were calling for his inclusion but decided to remain silent despite the debate surrounding his omission.
“I was playing regularly for NAC Breda, and I know some people were calling for me to be part,” Ayew said, adding that people had made several comments about his exclusion.
The experienced forward also revealed that he felt badly treated by some individuals within the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the media and other areas of the football fraternity.
However, rather than responding publicly or criticising those involved, Ayew said he chose to put Ghana ahead of his personal disappointment.
“A lot of people in the GFA, media and elsewhere did me a lot of wrong. I felt it. But I did not say one word because I cannot spit on my country because of certain people. Ghana is more important,” he said.
Ayew’s comments provide his first detailed explanation of his silence following the decision to leave him out of Ghana’s World Cup squad.
The 36-year-old has been one of Ghana’s most experienced players, having made more than 120 appearances for the Black Stars. He last played for the national team in March 2024 during a friendly against Uganda.
He joined NAC Breda in December 2025 and made 16 appearances for the Dutch club during the 2025/26 season before his contract ended in June.
He has also indicated that he is not ready to retire from football, with reports stating that he is in discussions with two or three clubs about continuing his playing career.
