‘He has to answer that’ – Eddie Nketiah’s father addresses Ghana switch speculation

Edward Nketiah Snr, the father of Crystal Palace forward Eddie Nketiah, has stated that the decision regarding his son’s international football career rests entirely with the player himself.

Speaking on Accra-based Joy Prime TV, the senior Nketiah addressed the persistent speculation surrounding whether the striker will switch allegiance from England to represent the Ghana Black Stars.

He acknowledged that while the family holds deep roots and love for Ghana, the forward was raised in the United Kingdom and has matured through the English developmental system.

“Listen, I’ve had that question about 500 times, and it’s a question that he has to answer,” Nketiah Snr said.

“You have a kid of dual nationality, I’ll put it that way. We’re Ghanaian, of course, so he loves Ghana, but he was also brought up there [in the UK]. As you know as well, he’s been through the English system and he’s of age. But, you know, I leave that to him. I do the fatherly duties.”

The 26-year-old forward boasts an impressive resume within the English setup, holding the all-time scoring record for the England U21 team with 16 goals.

 He earned a senior appearance for the Three Lions in a 2023 friendly against Australia, which he described at the time as a natural career progression.

However, because that appearance was not in a competitive match, FIFA rules permit him to switch his eligibility to Ghana.

Recent reports indicate that Nketiah’s camp has grown increasingly open to representing the Black Stars after being excluded from subsequent England squads.

Despite mutual interest between the player and the Ghana Football Association, a severe hamstring injury sustained late in the 2025–26 club season with Crystal Palace has temporarily stalled formal switch talks.