Arsenal’s Charles Sagoe Jr. Snubs Liberia Call-Up as Ghanaian-Liberian Star Weighs World Cup Ambitions with Ghana’s Black Stars
The Arsenal forward, Charles Sagoe Jr., is at the center of a delicate international tug-of-war, with his parentage making him a prime target for two passionate West African football nations.
Sagoe Jr. is eligible to represent Liberia through his mother and Ghana through his father, a dual heritage that highlights the widespread impact of the African diaspora in European football. He recently turned down a call-up from the Liberian national team, the Lone Star, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, stating that he needs more time to decide his future, though he remains on the radar of the Ghana Football Association.
For Ghana, a country with a much stronger likelihood of advancing to major tournaments, securing the talented winger would be a welcome addition to an already competitive national team, solidifying their World Cup aspirations. For Liberia, however, missing out on a player of his caliber—who qualifies through his mother—is a disappointing setback, as an established European-based talent would provide a significant boost to a team striving to expand its global reach and raise its profile on the international stage.
His final decision will be a major statement on his professional ambitions, and while Ghana can offer a clearer path to major tournaments, the choice underscores the emotional and cultural weight that comes with pledging allegiance to one’s roots.
