Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football with Ghana at the age of 32, bringing an end to his four-year journey with the Black Stars.
Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams has announced his retirement from international football with Ghana at the age of 32, ending his four-year career with the Black Stars.
Williams made the announcement in an emotional statement, saying he will now focus on the final stage of his club career while continuing to support Ghana’s national team.
A four-year Black Stars journey
Williams made himself available to Ghana in 2022 after previously representing Spain. He made his Ghana debut against Brazil in September 2022 and went on to represent the Black Stars at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups as well as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
He scored his first Ghana goal against Madagascar during the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign before adding his second against Chad.
Williams finished his Ghana career with 28 international appearances and two goals.
GhanaMedia.net has previously covered Williams’ Ghana journey, including his return to the Black Stars and his life away from football. Read our previous coverage of Iñaki and Nico Williams’ education project in Ghana and our report on Iñaki Williams welcoming his son Niko.
His final World Cup
Williams was included in Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and started Ghana’s group-stage match against England.
The tournament became his second World Cup appearance for the Black Stars and ultimately his final major international tournament with Ghana.
Ghana’s national team is now entering another phase under Carlos Queiroz, who has returned as Black Stars head coach.
A new chapter with Athletic Bilbao
Williams will now concentrate fully on Athletic Club, where he remains one of the club’s most experienced attacking players.
The forward has made more than 500 official appearances for Athletic Club and remains an important figure at San Mamés.
His decision to retire from international football allows him to focus on the final stage of his club career while remaining a supporter of Ghana’s national team.
A lasting Black Stars legacy
Although his international statistics were modest, Williams leaves behind a memorable connection with Ghanaian football.
He represented Ghana at two World Cups, scored two international goals and became part of a generation that carried the Black Stars into the 2026 global tournament.
For many Ghanaian supporters, his retirement marks the end of a chapter that began when the Athletic Bilbao captain chose to reconnect with his Ghanaian roots.
Iñaki Williams will now continue supporting the Black Stars as a fan while concentrating on the final years of his club career.