Iaki Williams, a forward for Athletic Bilbao, has declared his intention to represent Ghana's Black Stars at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Iaki had discussions about a potential nationality flip with the Ghana Football Association while on holiday in Ghana at the beginning of June with his younger brother Nico.
Iaki Williams announced his choice in a video that was released on his Twitter page, saying, "Today a new challenge begins, from now on, I'll defend the shirt of Ghana."
https://twitter.com/Williaaams45/status/1544381100415262720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1544381100415262720%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcitisportsonline.com%2F2022%2F07%2F05%2Fqatar-2022-inaki-williams-confirms-ghana-switch-with-a-video%2F
Iaki previously expressed concerns about converting to Ghanaian citizenship in an interview from the previous year, stating, "My parents are from Accra, and I truly enjoy going.
"However, my culture is here, I wasn't born or bred there, and there are players who would mean more.
I don't think it would be ethical to go in someone else's place who truly deserves to go and experience Ghana fully, he continued.
Though a lot has occurred since the interview, one significant development is that the Black Stars have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a major event for which many players have aspirations.
It is unknown if Nico Williams, Iaki's younger brother, will follow suit and represent Ghana's Black Stars.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup's group stage will feature matches between the Ghanaian Black Stars and South Korea, Uruguay, and Portugal.
He was developed at Athletic Bilbao's academy, and he has played for the team in over 300 first-team games, including a La Liga record of over 200 straight contests. He won the Supercopa de Espaa for 2020–21.
In 2016, Williams made his international debut for Spain.
Williams agreed to an extension of his contract until 2021 at the end of January 2016, after being scouted by teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City. The agreement included a €50 million buyout clause. On February 6, after a scoreless home draw with Villarreal, he and his opponent Daniele Bonera were both shown the door.
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