Union Berlin's Ilyas Ansah turns down Ghana World Cup call-up for now

Ghana’s hopes of securing the international allegiance of highly rated forward Ilyas Ansah appear to have suffered a significant setback, with the 1. FC Union Berlin attacker indicating that he will not switch nationality in time to feature for the Black Stars at the next World Cup.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been working behind the scenes to convince the 21-year-old, who is eligible to represent Ghana through his heritage, to commit his international future to the West African nation. However, those efforts have yet to bear fruit.

Ansah, currently part of Germany’s Under-21 set-up, has made clear that his immediate focus remains on his development in German football.

“I’ve decided to fully embrace everything I’m currently experiencing at Union and to continue playing for Germany’s U21 team,” Ansah told Bild.

The forward added that any decision regarding a potential switch of allegiance would only come after his commitments with Germany’s youth side are concluded.

“After the conclusion of the U21 European Championship [in 2027], I will address the matter next year and make a decision.

"As things stand, I will not be going to the World Cup with Ghana.”

His remarks suggest that even if a future switch remains possible, it will not happen in time for the upcoming global tournament.

Ansah joined 1. FC Union Berlin from SC Paderborn last summer and has enjoyed a steady start to life in the Bundesliga. In 26 appearances for the German capital club, he has scored five goals and registered two assists, underlining his growing reputation as one of the promising young forwards in the German game.