Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah is on the verge of switching his international allegiance from England to Ghana, with paperwork now being prepared for submission to FIFA.
The 27-year-old has made only one senior appearance for England, coming on as a substitute in a friendly against Australia in October 2023 under Gareth Southgate. Because that appearance came in a non-competitive fixture, FIFA regulations allow him to change his international association.
Nketiah previously represented England at Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level. He is England Under-21's all-time leading goalscorer, with 16 goals in 17 appearances for the Young Lions.
Born in Lewisham, south London, to Ghanaian parents, Nketiah has been the target of a long-running recruitment effort by the Ghana Football Association. Initial inquiries were made as far back as 2019 under former Black Stars head coach James Kwesi Appiah. His father confirmed in June that officials from Ghana's Sports Ministry had held further discussions with the family.
If the switch is approved by FIFA, Nketiah would join a Black Stars squad that has added several Premier League-based diaspora players in recent windows. Ghana have already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Nketiah began his youth career at Chelsea before joining Arsenal, where he made 168 senior appearances and scored 38 goals. He also spent time on loan at Leeds United. He joined Crystal Palace in August 2024 and has started all three of Palace's Premier League matches this season under new manager Pierre Sage.
