Athletic Club forward Inaki Williams will miss the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and the qualifying campaign after announcing his retirement from international football with Ghana.
The 32-year-old confirmed in a statement on Friday that he is ending his four-year spell with the Black Stars, just months before the qualifiers for the next AFCON begin.
"I feel the time has come to bring my journey with the Ghana national team to an end," Williams said.
"I leave happy, proud and with the peace of mind of knowing that I gave everything every time I wore this shirt."
Williams, who was born in Bilbao to Ghanaian parents, switched allegiance from Spain to Ghana in 2022 and made 28 appearances, scoring twice.
He represented Ghana at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups and at the 2023 AFCON. His final game was the 1-0 defeat to Colombia at the 2026 World Cup in July, which saw Ghana exit at the Round of 32.
His retirement means head coach Carlos Queiroz will be without the experienced forward for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers which begin on September 21, 2026 and end on March 30, 2027, as well as the tournament itself scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027 in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
Reflecting on his decision, Williams said Ghana had given him more than football.
"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," he said.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has been part of this journey.
"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."
Williams will now focus solely on club football with Athletic Club, where he is captain and remains under contract until 2028.
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